23 Students From KIIT University Selected to Participate in India’s First World Athletics Continental Tour Silver-Level Meet
Bhubaneswar, Odisha: In yet another significant achievement for KIIT Deemed to be University and its commitment to sporting excellence, 23 students from KIIT University have been selected to participate in India’s first-ever World Athletics Continental Tour Silver-Level Meet, being held at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
The historic one-day international athletics meet brings together nearly 291 elite athletes from up to 23 countries, including representation from 12 Asian nations. The competition features 18 disciplines—nine for men and nine for women—and carries a total prize purse of USD 75,000, making it one of the most prestigious athletics events to be hosted in India. Event winners will receive a prize of USD 1,600.
The selection of 23 students from KIIT University for this prestigious international competition is a matter of immense pride and further strengthens KIIT’s position as a leading institution for sports education and athlete development.
The KIIT contingent includes accomplished athletes competing across sprinting, middle-distance running, hurdles, long jump, shot put, and javelin throw.
KIIT University Athletes Participating in the Meet
Men:
- Sreeshankar M. – Long Jump
- David P. – Long Jump
- Animesh Kujur – 100m
- Jay Kumar – 400m
- Bapi Hansda – 800m
- Samardeep Singh Gill – Shot Put
- Tejinder Singh Toor – Shot Put
- Rohit Yadav – Javelin Throw
- Yashvir Singh – Javelin Throw
- Kishore Kumar Jena – Javelin Throw
- Anand Singh – Javelin Throw
- Gurindervir Singh – 100m
- Karamveer Singh – Shot Put
Women:
- Jyothi Yarraji – 100m & 100m Hurdles
- Ancy Sojan – Long Jump
- Srabani Nanda – Athletics
- Kiran Pahal – 400m
- Prachi – 400m
- Poovamma Raju – 400m
- Pooja – 1500m
- Pragyan Prasanti Sahu – 100m Hurdles
- Anu Rani – Javelin Throw
- Karishma S. Sanil – Javelin Throw
The participation of these athletes across multiple disciplines showcases the depth and diversity of sporting talent nurtured at KIIT University.
KIIT’s contribution becomes even more significant in the context of Odisha’s representation. Six athletes from Odisha are participating in the prestigious meet, of whom five are students of KIIT University.
They are:
- Srabani Nanda – KIIT University
- Pragyan Prasanti Sahu – KIIT University
- Bapi Hansda – KIIT University
- Kishore Kumar Jena – KIIT University
- Animesh Kujur – KIIT University
- Swadhin Kumar Majhi
The fact that five of Odisha’s six participating athletes are associated with KIIT University underlines the institution’s growing contribution to the development of elite athletics in the State.
Prof. (Dr.) Achyuta Samanta, Founder, KIIT, KISS and KIMS, congratulated all the participating athletes and extended his best wishes for their upcoming events. He expressed his happiness at the strong representation of KIIT students in such a prestigious international athletics competition and wished the athletes success in their respective events.
Prof. Samanta’s vision of providing talented youngsters with opportunities to pursue both education and sporting excellence has played an important role in creating an environment where athletes can dream big and compete on the international stage.
The participating KIIT athletes expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Prof. (Dr.) Achyuta Samanta for his continuous encouragement, motivation, and support.
They acknowledged that the opportunities provided by KIIT, along with its world-class facilities and supportive academic environment, have helped them focus on their sporting careers while continuing their higher education.
The athletes said that competing at an international-level event on home soil is a proud moment and that they would strive to give their best for India, Odisha and KIIT University.
The participation of 23 KIIT students in India’s first World Athletics Continental Tour Silver-Level Meet marks another milestone in KIIT’s remarkable sporting journey and reinforces its growing reputation as a premier destination for nurturing elite sporting talent.
KIIT University wishes all its athletes the very best for their respective events and hopes their performances will inspire many more young athletes to pursue excellence in sports.
