Bhubaneswar: KIIT Deemed to be University felicitated its students who represented India in the recent Paris Olympics and Paralympics at a grand function on Sunday.
All 17 athletes — 15 Olympians and 2 Paralympians — was awarded a cash prize of Rs 7 lakh.
KIIT and KISS Founder Dr Achyuta Samanta led the celebration, which showcased the achievements of the athletes and highlighted the role of sports in education.
Emphasising that the athletes are the cornerstone of KIIT’s success in sports, Dr Samanta noted that KIIT is proud to have sent the largest contingent of athletes to the Olympics. A total of 20 Olympians and 2 Paralympians have emerged from the institute.
Special prizes were awarded to hockey star Amit Rohidas (bronze) and para high-jumper Pravin Kumar (gold) for their medal-winning performances in Paris.
Expressing his gratitude, Rohidas recalled Dr Samanta’s encouragement to compete without stress.
“KIIT and KISS have one of the best infrastructures for sports, unmatched anywhere in India,” the defender said.
The other athletes to be honoured included 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 (para athletes in high jump).
The institute also recognised athletes who recently won medals at the 2024 South Asian Championship and state-level weightlifting championships.
