It is an incredible contribution of the KIIT University and the KISS University to sports having produced about 5,000 sports talents including national and international sportspersons, said KIIT and KISS founder Dr Achyuta Samanta at a get-together held here on Sunday to extend best wishes to four KIIT and KISS students selected to participate in the upcoming Asian Games 2018.
Dr Samanta said four KIIT and KISS girls, Dutee Chand, Jauna Murmu, Purnima Hembram and Rutuparna Panda, have qualified for the Asian Games. Dutee, who earlier had the distinction of representing 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 would be part of the Indian Badminton squad.
“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,” he stated. Among the KIIT and KISS’ 5000 active sportspersons, 70 per cent are girls. Over 70 students are international sportspersons. Over 800 students have played in national level meets. About 4,000 students have participated in State-level sports meets or national university/school games. Dr Samanta said the KIIT and the KISS have created world-class sports infrastructure to nurture a strong sporting culture among students.