As many as four students of Bhubaneswar-based Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) and Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) have been selected for the upcoming Asian Games.
Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS, said, four girls – Dutee Chand, Jauna Murmu, Purnima Hembram and Rutuparna Panda from KIIT & KISS – have qualified for the Asian Games.
Dutee, who had earlier represented the country at Rio Olympics, has qualified for 100m and 200m events.
Jauna and Purnima have qualified for 400m hurdles and Heptathlon respectively, while Rutuparna will be a part of Indian Team Badminton Squad.
A Mega Sports Get-together was organised by KIIT and KISS on Aug 12 to extend best wishes to the four students.
Dutee Chand and Rutuparna Panda were felicitated at the event that saw the presence of MPs P. K. Patasani and Anubhab Mohanty, Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena, Ambassador of Bolivia to India Sergio Darío Arispe Barrientos, Odisha Sports Journalists Association president K. Ravi, sports personalities Shradhanjali Samantaray, Anuradha Biswal, Pranati Mishra and Debasis Mohanty, and cine actors Barsha Priyadarshini and Sabyasachi Mishra.
On the occasion, Dr. Samanta said: “Our students have been bringing glory for the country in the field of sports for the last 10 years. They have been representing India and Odisha regularly at international and national level sports meets, including Olympics, Asian and Commonwealth Games.”
So far, KIIT and KISS have about 5000 active sportspersons, 70% among them girls.
Over 70 students are international sportspersons and have participated in one or more international sports meets in 14 disciplines.
Over 800 students have played in national level meets in 26 disciplines.
About 4000 students have participated in state level sports meets or national university/school games.
KIIT & KISS have created world-class sports infrastructure to nurture and support a strong sporting culture among the students.
There are 15 international standard sports complexes with gyms, swimming pools, synthetic volleyball, basketball and tennis courts, besides indoor badminton, billiards, table tennis, yoga and squash courts.
It regularly hosts national level tournaments on its cricket stadium (BCCI approved), Hockey stadium (Global category certification by FIH) and International Archery Stadium. Football Stadium, Olympic size Swimming Pool, International Chess Hall and Synthetic Athletic Track (400m) are among other facilities available on the campuses.
–