Bhubaneswar: India will be sending its fencers to Olympics for the first time ever. Representing the country in 2021 Tokyo Olympics in Fencing will be CA Bhavani Devi, a product of KIIT Deemed University, situated in Odisha Capital.
It is not only a proud moment for her but her mentors at KIIT DU, her alma mater.
Hailing from Tamil Nadu, Bhavani reached Bhubaneswar from Italy and was accorded a warm reception at the Biju Patnaik International Airport.. Her mother and coach are accompanying her.
A felicitation ceremony was organised on KIIT DU premises where the ace fencer was felicitated in the presence of distinguished personalities like Founder, KIIT & KISS Dr Achyuta Samanta; general secretary, Indian Fencing Association, Bashir A. Khan; Secretary, Odisha Fencing Association, Debendra Sahoo; VC, KIIT DU Prof. Hrushikesha Mohanty and Pro VC, KIIT DU, Prof. Sasmita Samanta environmentalist Dr. Abdul Ghani and sprint queen Dutee Chand.
Bhavani is the latest edition to the long list of national and international level sporting as well as academic talents who have received support and encouragement from the institution under the tutelage of Dr Achyuta Samanta.
“It was my childhood dream of participating in Olympics and I have worked hard towards achieving that goal but the efforts would not have borne fruits without the relentless support of KIIT DU and Dr Achyuta Samanta”, said Bhavani.
“Dutee Chand has been my source of inspiration like she has been for many in the state and outside,” she added.
Congratulating Bhavani, Dr Achyuta Samanta said, “Apart from education, KIIT & KISS have given the emphasis on promotion of sports and sportspersons. In fact, KIIT & KISS premises boast of the largest state-of-the-art sports and games infrastructure across the globe.”
More than 5,000 players have already been groomed from KIIT & KISS, said Dr Samanta.
Among others, Bhavani’s mother CA Ramani; KIIT Sports Director Gaganendu Dash, Registrar Jnyana Ranjan Mohanty and senior functionaries were present.
The Olympics are scheduled to be held from July 24 to August 1 after being postponed for a year due to the pandemic.
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