30th World University Games 2019 Dutee Chand Named Flag-bearer of Indian Contingent
Dutee Chand, a student of KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, will lead the Indian contingent at the 30thWorld University Games 2019 scheduled to kick-off in Napoli, Italy from July 3. She has also been named India’s flag-bearer at the opening ceremony as the top achiever of the entire Indian contingent, informed Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS at a press meet in Bhubaneswar on 29th June. Dutee, a double silver medalist at the 2018 Asian Games, is the only girl from Odisha representing India at the World University Games. This is a matter of pride for Odisha and KIIT, he said.
Dr. Gaganendu Dash, Director Sports, KIIT has been appointed as Deputy Head of Delegation of the Indian Universities Team by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). Similarly, Rudrakesh Jena, Asst. Director Sports, KISS will be the Delegation Official and Sanjay Garnaik, Chief Coach, Athletics, KIIT will be the Team Leader of Athletics (M/W) team. The selection trial of the Athletics (M/W) and Archery (M/W) teams were organized by KIIT Deemed to be University from April 2 – 5, 2019. Subsequently, coaching camp for both the group was conducted at KIIT from June 22 – 29, 2019, which was attended by 51 players and 10 officials.
“Besides quality education, KIIT & KISS have been according a high importance to sports and games since their inception. The two institutions have created world-class sports infrastructure and have produced more than 5000 sports talents in over 30 disciplines, who have participated at international, national and regional level. It is a rare achievement to produce so many sports talents at a single place. Our students have been representing India and Odisha regularly at international and national level sports meets, including Olympics, Asian and Commonwealth Games”, he informed.
In a recent achievement, Indian Women’s Rugby Team scripted history by clinching their first-ever international 15-s victory against top ranked Singapore and winning Bronze Medal at the Asia Women’s Div-1 Rugby 15-s Championship held in Manila, Philippines from June 17-23, 2019. Five students of KISS – Sumitra Nayak, Hupi Majhi, Rajani Sabar, Meerarani Hembram and Parbati Kisku – were the part of the Indian team, he informed. In fact, it was a penalty by KISS’s Sumitra Nayak in the dying minutes of the match that sealed the narrow victory for India. Indian Women Rugby team, including Sumitra, have got praise from various spheres for this victory.
Among others Dr. Gaganendu Dash, Director, Sports, KIIT DU; Sprinter and KIIT Student Dutee Chand; Shooter and KIIT Student Shriyanka Sadangi; Rugby Girls of Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) Sumitra Nayak, Hupi Majhi, Rajani Sabar, Meerarani Hembram and Parbati Kisku were also present on the occasion.