The Business Bytes
Bhubaneswar, September 22, 2024 (TBB Bureau): KIIT-DU hosted a momentous event on Sunday honoring the students who represented India at the recently concluded Paris Olympics and Paralympics. Led by the university’s Founder, Dr. Achyuta Samanta, the celebration showcased the remarkable achievements of these athletes and emphasized the vital role of sports in education.
Each athlete was awarded a cash prize of Rs 7 lakh in recognition of their accomplishments, including 15 Olympians and 2 Paralympians. Dr. Samanta highlighted the athletes as the cornerstone of KIIT’s success in sports, noting the institution’s significant contribution to developing athletic talent. He proudly announced that KIIT has sent the largest contingent of athletes to the Olympics, with a total of 20 Olympians and 2 Paralympians emerging from the institute.
Special prizes were awarded to Amit Rohidas and Pravin Kumar for their medal-winning performances at the Olympics. The honoured athletes included Amit Rohidas (hockey), Kishore Kumar Jena and Annu Rani (javelin throw), Tajinderpal Singh Toor (shot put), Parul Choudhary (5000m steeplechase), Jyothi Yarraji (100m hurdles), Priyanka (20km race walk), Prachi and MR Poovamma (4x400m relay), Paramjeet Singh Bisht, Akshdeep Singh, and Vikash Singh (20km race walk), Ankita (5000m run), Rampal, and Praveen Kumar (para-athletes in high jump), among others.
The event also recognized athletes who recently won medals at the 2024 South Asian Championship and the state-level weightlifting championships.
Amit Rohidas expressed his gratitude, recalling Dr. Samanta’s encouragement to compete without stress. “KIIT and KISS have one of the best infrastructures for sports, unmatched anywhere in India,” he said, emphasizing the support provided to athletes.
The celebration was attended by notable figures, including Odisha’s star athletes such as Dutee Chand and Anuradha Biswal. Dr. Gaganendu Dash, Director of the Sports and Yoga Department at KIIT, introduced the athletes, while Upendra Mohanty, advisor to KIIT & KISS Sports, was also present. KIIT Vice Chancellor Prof. Saranjit Singh, Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof. Debashis Bandyopadhyay, and other dignitaries praised Dr. Samanta’s efforts in fostering an environment conducive to athletic excellence.
