KIIT-KISS Felicitate Asian Games & World University Games 2023 Medal Winners

Bhubaneswar, October 22: Star sportspersons and heroes of India’s win at the Asian Games and World University Games 2023, China, shined at a grand felicitation ceremony organised in honour of KIIT and KISS students winning medals in the recently concluded 19th Asian Games, 2023 at Hangzhou, and 31st World University Games, 2023 at Chengdu, China.

Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) and Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), Bhubaneswar have been promoting sports since their inception not only in the interest of their students but also for the cause of Odisha’s imprints as a sports-loving state across the globe.

During the felicitation financial incentives of amount Rs. 5 lakh each was given to Tajinderpal Singh Toor, Asian Games – Gold Medalist (Shot Put), and Amit Rohidas, Asian Games – Gold Medalist (Hockey); while Rs. 3 lakh each was given to Kishore Kumar Jena, Asian Games – Silver Medalist (Javelin Throw), and Tejaswin Shankar, Asian Games – Silver Medalist (Decathlon); and Rs. 2 lakh each to Amlan Borgohain, World University Games – Bronze Medalist (200M) and Priyanka, World University Games – Bronze Medalist (20KM Race Walk Team) respectively.

Speaking on the occasion Founder of KIIT-KISS Dr Achyuta Samanta said the sports scenario in Odisha has completely changed under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. “However, for a sports person in Odisha and even outside Odisha, KIIT and KISS always reach out in case of any issues before the governments reach and solve their problems,” said Dr Samanta, adding “KIIT-KISS and their sports infrastructure makes then unique among all Indian Government and private-owned universities”. KIIT & KISS have produced 15 Olympians and more than 5 thousand sports persons from state level to international level, he added.

Several students from KIIT-KISS have made their mark both in international and national sporting events and have brought laurels for the nation and Odisha. There are 14 students of KIIT Deemed-to-be-University who represented India in the recently concluded Asian Games, 2023 at Hangzhou, China, and four of them won medals. Similarly, 18 students from three Universities of Odisha, including 14 students from KIIT, participated in the World University Games, 2023 in Chengdu, China, and two KIIT students won the bronze medals.

Director General Sports KIIT-KISS Dr Gaganendu Das coordinated the programme and spoke about Dr Samanta’s contributions to developing sports in a pan-Indian context. Vice-Chancellor Prof Saranjit Singh also called for more use of technology in sports coaching, enabling the aspirants to have better results. The felicitated athletes and sports stars also spoke about their experiences with the international arena and KIIT-KISS.