Washington, April 22 : US President Donald Trump praised NCAA champions at the White House and said his administration is pushing changes to college sports, warning current trends are â??not sustainableâ??.

Hosting seven collegiate championship-winning teams on Tuesday (local time), Trump described the athletes as â??remarkableâ?? and said they had shown â??grit and determinationâ??. â??This afternoon, we're joined by not one, not two, but seven collegiate championship-winning teams from all across the country, champions every one of them,â?? he said.

The teams included the Oklahoma State Cowboys menâ??s golf champions, Texas A&M womenâ??s volleyball champions, Wake Forest menâ??s tennis champions, Georgia womenâ??s tennis champions, Youngstown State womenâ??s bowling champions, Florida State womenâ??s soccer champions and West Virginiaâ??s mixed rifle champions.

Trump praised the Oklahoma State golf team for securing its â??12th national titleâ?? and said the Texas A&M volleyball team â??played with heart and determinationâ??. He highlighted standout players, calling Kyndal Stowers â??a real powerhouse and championâ??, and commended Logan Lednickyâ??s performance in the final.

On tennis, he said Wake Forest â??battled through the fierce postseason to claim their second national titleâ??, while Georgiaâ??s womenâ??s team captured its third title after a comeback win.

He also recognised Youngstown Stateâ??s bowling team for achieving â??the program's first ever national titleâ?? and praised Madyson Marx, saying her â??208 averageâ?? was â??fantasticâ??.

Florida Stateâ??s womenâ??s soccer team was noted for winning its fifth national title, while West Virginiaâ??s rifle team marked its 20th national shooting title.

Trump used the event to outline concerns about the current state of college sports. â??What's happening is crazy,â?? he said, adding that his administration is â??fighting hard to save college sportsâ??.

He referred to an executive order introducing reforms, including limiting transfers and setting a five-year eligibility cap. â??Students right out of high school should not have to compete against players that are 28 or 29 years old,â?? he said.

Calling for legislative support, Trump said: â??We need now Congress to act to clear up the confusion created by the courts and institute permanent reforms to protect college sports at every level.â??

He also stressed the broader importance of college athletics, noting that â??75 per cent of Olympians competing for Team USA played as college athletesâ??.

Closing the ceremony, Trump told the athletes: â??You are unbelievable champions. I admire and respect all of you, and it's an honour to have you in the White House.â??

College sports have long been a key part of the US education system, serving as a pathway to professional leagues and international competition. In recent years, however, changes linked to athlete compensation, transfer rules and legal challenges have reshaped the landscape.

/IANS