KIIT: A Sports Capital Among Universities 

Khel Today Bureau

KIIT DU in Bhubaneswar, well-known for its academic excellence and research endeavours, has also earned widespread recognition for its remarkable sporting achievementsover the last two decades. The university takes immense pride in producingtalented individuals who have brought glory to their nation through their exceptional performances in various sports events, including the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, and Asiad Games.

The University owes its sporting achievement to its Founder Dr AchyutaSamantawho harbours a deep passion for sports and ensures that talented individuals receive the necessary guidance and training to excel. Over the years, the premier technical institute has created one of the largest sporting infrastructures in the country and nurtured over 5000 athletes. The evolution of sports at KIIT, the honours, recognition and achievements that has come its way bears testament to its sporting prowess.

Extensive sports infrastructure:

KIIT offers the largest sporting infrastructure among all government and private institutes, thus having transformed its campus into a sports hub where sportspersons from across the country including Olympians mingle with each other and share an emotional connect. The giant structures include a multipurpose indoor stadium, a cricket stadium and a hockey stadium.  Besides, there are 15 other indoor sports complexes, supporting almost all the sports discipline and an Olympic size swimming pool. Some of the venues are named after legendary sports icons, including the Biju Patnaik Multipurpose Indoor Stadium, DilipTirkey Hockey Stadium, Rahul Bose Rugby Stadium, Debasish Mohanty Cricket Stand, Leander Paes Tennis stadium. This gives KIIT the leverage to host big-ticket events.

Host of first Khelo India University Games&othernational events:

It was a matter of immense pride for KIIT to host the first Khelo India event in February 2020. The prestigious saw more than 4000 athletes and 1000 officials from approximately 200 universities from across the country participating in over 17 different events held across the KIIT sports facilities. Additionally, the KIIT venues have been the proud hosts of prestigious competitions like the Ranji Trophy matches, National Open Athletic Championship, All India Forest Sports meet, the 81^st All India Inter-University Athletics (Women) Championship 2021-22

Host of first Janjatiya Khel Mahotsav

KIIT also had the privilege of hosting the first Janjatiya Khel Mahotsav from 9th to 12th June 2023. More than 5000 participantsalong with 1000 officials, representing 26 states, participated in various sporting activities. This unique event has been introduced to promote sports among the Janjati (Tribals).

KIIT Sportsstars:

KIIT has nurtured and produced athletes who have gone on to become household names. Dutee Chand (Athletics), Shivpal Singh (Athletics), Amiya Mallick (Athletics), Srabani Nanda (Athletics), CA Bhavani Devi (Fencing), Amit Rohidas (Hockey), Sunita Lakra (Hockey), and LilimaMinz (Hockey).

Games and records:

KIIT graduates have excelled in several disciplines in various events both at home and abroad. The crowning glory came back in 2007 when the Junior Rugby Team humbled the best in the game to lift the Under 14 Junior Rugby World Cup. During the 2022 Khelo India University Games, KIIT graduates emerged as strong contenders in several disciplines. The KIIT Rugby Women’s Team secured the Gold medal, while the Men’s Team claimed the Silver. Additionally, the KIIT Rowing Women’s Team achieved a Silver medal, and Lalu Bhoi won Silver in the Men’s 100m event.

Meet Records:

KIIT athletes also set records at the 2022 games, with the university winning 4 Gold Medals and establishing 2 meet records in the athletics event. PragyanPrasantiSahu set a record in the Women’s 100m Hurdles, while Vikrant Malik set a meet record in Men’s Javelin Throw. In the Weightlifting Men’s 55Kg category, Kubheswar Mallik won the Silver Medal by lifting a total of 212Kg. Sneha Soren secured the Gold Medal in the 49 kg category of Weightlifting.

Records were set by our graduates on international soil as well. Kabir Hans clinched the men’s doubles title at the Fenesta Open National Hard Court Championship in October of the previous year and also earned his first ATP point at the ITF Men’s 15K tournament in Kish Island, Iran, in March 2023. Another KIIT graduate, AmlanBorgohain, broke the national record in the 200m event at the Federation Cup.

At the Olympics:

KIIT has produced over 5000 athletes who have made the country proud with their performance at the national and international sporting arenas. At the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, KIIT became the only university in India to send three athletes – Dutee Chand, C. A. Bhavani Devi and Shivpal Singh to the games. Dr. Sudeep Satpathy, a sports medicine doctor also accompanied the team to Tokyo. For Dutee, it was the second consecutive appearance in the Olympics.

Recognitions:

In recognition of its achievements in sports and for nurturing sporting talents, KIIT has been bestowed with numerous achievements. In November 2022, KIIT was awarded the Rashtriya Khel ProtsahanPuruskar 2022. The award was given away by President DroupadiMurmu to Dr AchyutaSamanta. It was adjudged the best university for the promotion of sports at the 2022 Sportstar Aces Awards

award for the promotion of sports and outstanding contribution to the field of Sports and Games. Many sports personalities including Sunil Gavaskar were present on the occasion. The University was also honoured by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) with the FICCI India Sports Awards in recognition of its outstanding contribution to the field of sports.