Interview for Panjab University sports director post on November 21; 14 shortlisted

Nearly eight months after an announcement for appointing new sports director of Panjab University was made, interviews for the post will be conducted on November 21. The post is lying vacant since 2020 and its “additional” charge has been given to Chairperson, Department of Physical Education.

Fifteen applicants had shown interest in the post after the university’s recruitment approval in March. Two Deputy Directors at the Directorate of Sports, Panjab University, a Joint Director Sports (JDS) in the UT Administration and other faculty of physical education from local and outstation colleges, including Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, and principals of some Haryana colleges had applied for the post.

However, after scrutiny of document, sources claimed 14 applicants, including two women, have been shortlisted for the interview. Sources added that during scrutiny one applicant who had worked for UT Administration in the past has also been dropped. Of the 14 candidates, six were found to be directly eligible for the post, while others were asked to submit documents.

After the university authorities have notified the interview schedule, the applicants have started running pillar to post in order to find a suitable ‘approach’, in addition of their achievements, for securing the job, highly placed sources claimed.

The sports director is one of the key posts of the university.

After a gap of four years, the university had started proceedings to appoint a regular sports director in March. The post fell vacant after the death of Parminder Singh Ahluwalia in October 2020. During Ahluwalia’s tenure, the university had witnessed the return of the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy. During last recruitment in 2015, only four contenders were shortlisted. Ahluwalia from Ludhiana was approved by the selection panel ahead of local contenders. As per the criteria, candidates having a PhD in physical education or sports or sports science along with an experience of at least 10 years in physical education and sports as university assistant, deputy DPE or 10 years as college DPE or teaching for 10 years in physical education and sports or sports science as assistant/associate professor are eligible for the post in addition to clearing physical fitness test.

Last regular appointment done in 2015

The last regular sports director was appointed in March 2015. Prior to his joining, the Chairperson, Department of Physical Education, held the charge for three years. Parminder Ahluwalia was the fourth regular and 30th officiating director of the Sports Department.