KIIT and KISS felicitated their athletes who represented India at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, and the 23rd Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, with cash awards worth Rs 2.5 crore at the KIIT campus on October 23.
At the Asian Games, 57 athletes from both the institutes represented India and won 21 medals, matching Punjab’s tally and recording the third-highest medal count among Indian states after Haryana and Maharashtra. At the Commonwealth Games, 14 KIIT students represented the country and secured five medals.
The ceremony was attended by the institute’s Founder Prof. Achyuta Samanta as the chief guest, KIIT Vice-Chancellor Prof. Saranjit Singh, Pro-VC (Administration)-cum-Registrar Jnyana Ranjan Mohanty, Director General of Sports and Yoga Dr. Gaganendu Dash and other dignitaries. Several athletes and winners also joined virtually.
The athletes excelled in athletics, hockey and other sporting events, setting national records, securing historic medals and contributing to team victories. India’s men’s and women’s hockey teams won gold medals at the Asian Games, while several athletes qualified for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Asian Games medal winners received Rs 7 lakh for gold, Rs 5 lakh for silver and Rs 3 lakh for bronze. Commonwealth Games achievers received Rs 5 lakh for gold, Rs 3 lakh for silver and Rs 2 lakh for bronze. Other participants were awarded Rs 1 lakh each.
The medal winners thanked Prof. Samanta for providing world-class infrastructure and support that helped them excel at international competitions.
Prof. Samanta reaffirmed his commitment to supporting athletes and announced a cash award of Rs 1 crore for athletes winning gold medals at the upcoming Olympic Games.
“With education, we give our best to promote sports in our university. I extended my heartfelt congratulations to all the achievers and participants. I also thank the Prime Minister and Sports Minister for their support to sportspersons. We will always stand with the athletes and will ensure they perform best and bring accolades to our state and the country,” he said.
