The 22nd Asian Athletics Championships, Bhubaneswar, which saw the participation of more than 650 athletes from 44 countries, has concluded recently. It is indeed a matter of great pride for the State of Odisha to successfully host this mega international sports event. As a premier education institution that has been promoting sports and sportspersons in a big way since its inception, KIIT University and its sister concern, Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), share this pride. In fact two athletes – Dutee Chand and Amiya Mallick of the Indian contingent are students of KIIT University.
As a part of its continuous endeavour of promoting sports and sportspersons in the State,KIIT and KISS announced cash incentives for the medal winners from Odisha before the commencement of the 22nd Asian Athletics Championships. Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder, KIIT and KISS announced cash prize of Rs. 3 lakh, Rs.2 lakh and Rs.1.5 lakh to Odia athletes winning Gold, Silver and Bronze medals respectively. In this connection, a special function was held at Hotel Marrion, Bhubaneswar on 12th July 2017 to felicitate and reward medal winners from Odisha. As announced earlier, Rs. 3 lakh cash prize to Dutee Chand who won two Bronze Medals in 4×100 relay and 100 meter race, Rs. 1.5 lakh to Srabani Nanda, who won bronze medal in 4×100 relay race and Rs1.5 lakh to Purnima Hembram, who won bronze medal in heptathlon. On this occasion Saina Salonika of KiiT International School who won the gold medal in under-14 year category in Commonwealth Chess Championship held at Delhi was felicitated. N. Ramesh, coach of Dutee Chand, Nilamadhab Deo, Coach of Srabani and Jauna Murmu were also felicitated. Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder, KIIT and KISS, Sprinter Anuradha Biswal, CRPF IG K. K. Sharma, cricketer Debasis Mohanty, Siba Sundar Das, Footballer Shradhanjali Samantray were present on the occasion.