All India Inter-University Athletics (Women) Championship Inaugurated at KIIT

The 81^st All India Inter-University Athletics (Women) Championship 2021-22, being organized by KIIT-DU and supported by KISS-DU, was inaugurated by Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS. It is for the first time Odisha is hosting this Championship, which is being held under the aegis of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), New Delhi. More than 2000 athletes, officials and coaches from more than 200 universities are participating in this mega event from 21^st to 24^th February 2022.

Sports offer a bright future and one should consider pursuing a career in sports, said Dutee Chand, Olympian & Arjuna Awardee and a student of KIIT at the inaugural ceremony. Parents should encourage their children to get involved in sports apart from studying, she added.

There are many Dronacharya Awardee and reputed coaches who are part of this mega event. The competition will be held in 24 events for 100, 200, 400, 800, 1500, 5000, and 10,000 meters race; 100 and 400 meters hurdles, half marathon, 20 km race walk, Long Jump, High Jump, Triple Jump, Pole vault, shot-put, discus throw, Javelins throw, hammer throw, heptathlon, 3000-meter steeplechase, 4 x 100 mts, 4 x 400 mts relay and 4 x 400 mts mixed relay. The Indian Universities teams for World University Games 2022 at Chengdu, China will be selected from this Championship. Also, the top eight athletes from each event will qualify for the Khelo India University Games 2022 at Bangalore.

Among others, Dr. Binu George Varghese, Director Physical Education, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam & Chairman of Selection Committee, Indian Universities Teams for World University Games 2022; Prof. L. B. Laxmikant Rathod, VC, Palamuru University; Mr. Nagpuri Ramesh, Dronacharya Awardee & Sr. SAI Coach; Prof. Rajesh Kumar, Principal and Head, University College of Physical Education, Osmania University; Mr. Sanjay Garnayak, Member, Selection Committee, Indian Universities Athletic Team; Prof. J. R. Mohanty, Registrar, KIIT-DU, and Dr. Gaganendu Dash, Director-General, Sports, KIIT were present.