Bhubaneswar: As many as 12 students from KIIT Deemed to be University (KIIT-DU) here have qualified to represent India in the Paris Olympics which will be held from July 26 to August 11.
It’s the biggest contingent of athletes from an Indian university to participate in an Olympic Games, KIIT and KISS Founder Dr Achyuta Samanta said.
The KIIT students who have earned Paris berths are — Amit Rohidas (Men’s Hockey), Kishore Kumar Jena (Men’s Javelin), Parul Chaudhary (Women’s 3000m Steeplechase & 5000m), Priyanka (Women’s 20km Race Walk & Marathon Race Walk Mixed Relay), Annu Rani (Women’s Javelin), Jyothi Yarraji (Women’s 100m Hurdles), Tajinderpal Singh Toor (Men’s Shot Put), Abha Khatua (Women’s Shot Put), Prachi (Women’s 4x400m Relay Team) Ankita (Women’s 5000m), Paramjeet Singh Bisht (Men’s 20km Race Walk and Suraj Panwar (Men’s Marathon Race Walk Mixed Relay).
Dr Samanta congratulated the Paris-bound contingent and announced Rs 7 lakh for each of the 12 athletes at a special programme in Bhubaneswar.
The 12 sportspersons, who are preparing for the Olympics at various camps in India and abroad, joined the programme virtually.
“We are happy that 12 students from KIIT are participating in the Paris Olympics 2024, making us and the country proud. Your hard work and dedication have brought you to this prestigious stage. Give your best and shine with your achievements. The entire KIIT & KISS family stands behind you, cheering you on,” Dr Samanta said.
KIIT & KISS has also produced 20 Olympians and 2 Paralympians who represented India at the 2016 Rio Olympics, 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021) and will be representing the country at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Dr Samanta pointed out.
Other dignitaries present at the programme were Prof. Baljit Singh Sekhon, Jt Secretary, Sports & Youth Affairs, AIU; Prof. Saranjit Singh, Vice-Chancellor, KIIT-DU; Prof. Jnyana Ranjan Mohanty, Registrar, KIIT-DU; Sanjaya Kumar Garnaik, Chief Athletic Coach; Dr Gaganendu Dash, Director General, Sports & Yoga, KIIT-DU.