Path breaking initiative from KIIT DU; Names sporting facilities after legends
ANI |
Updated: February 23, 2023 10:25 am IS
Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], February 23 (ANI/BusinessWire India): The KIIT DU recently witnessed a landmark event when the Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik, inaugurated several stadiums and sports complexes named after sporting icons. The multipurpose indoor stadium was also named after the legendary figure and the late Chief Minister of Odisha, Biju Patnaik.
This landmark move demonstrates KIIT’s commitment to the advancement of sport and makes it the first university in the country to name institutions after living legends of the sporting world. The university is distinguished by the fact that it has created the largest sports infrastructure among all institutes. KIIT was awarded by the Government of India to the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar 2022 for its sustained focus on the development of the sport.
“We made a mark for others by naming sports venues after sports legends. This is a historic event for all of us. No other place in this country has so many sports facilities named after so many athletes,” said the founder of KIIT and KISS, Dr. Achyuta Samanta and expressed his gratitude to the CM for the inauguration of the sports facilities.
New facilities include Dilip Tirkey Hockey Stadium; Abhinav Bindra Indoor Shooting Range; Rahul Bose Rugby Stadium; Debasish Mohanty and Shiv Sundar The Cricket Stand; Viswanathan Anand Chess Hall ; Leander Paes Tennis Stadium; Dutee Chand Athletic Stadium; Amiya Mallick Athletic Stand; Shrabani Nanda Athletic Stand; Minati Mahapatra Velodrome; Pramod Bhagat Badminton Indoor Hall and Sradhanjali Samantaray Football Stadium.
Significantly, all the athletes except Anand and Bindra were present when the Odisha CM inaugurated the facilities named after them. They applauded the efforts of Dr. Samanta and said his decision to name the sports facilities after a university’s sports legends was unique. Odisha Sports Secretary R. Vineel Krishna was also present on the occasion.
Leander Paes praised Dr. Samanta for this initiative and for creating the sports facilities in the country, including 25 tennis courts. He also said the CM is the sport’s greatest visionary in the country.
Hockey legend Dilip Tirkey, currently president of Hockey India, said he will enjoy the warmth of Dr. Continued appreciation for Samanta in naming the hockey stadium on campus. He also saluted his support for players like Dutee Chand and others who have made them international sports stars today. Sport, he said, helps a person become disciplined and a good person.
Rugby India president and actor Rahul Bose agreed, saying sport not only transforms youngsters into better people but gives players the power, confidence and opportunity to fight poverty and hunger. He cited a few stories to support his observations. He thanked Dr. Samanta for naming the rugby stadium after him and expressing hope that one day the KIIT rugby team will win the Olympic medal.
“People say that after death you go to heaven, but I feel like I got my heaven in this life. This was achieved at KIIT through the efforts of Dr. Achyuta Samanta, the founder of KIIT & KISS. Stadiums are generally posthumously named after legends, but at KIIT, stadiums have been named after living legends. I never thought that a sports stadium would be named after me. Along with education, athletic activities are encouraged and given equal importance at KIIT and KISS,” said sprint ace Dutee Chand.
“KIIT & KISS are the only universities in India with huge sports infrastructures and facilities at international level. This was possible at KIIT thanks to the efforts of Dr. Achyuta Samanta, the founder of KIIT & KISS, due to his passion for sports. Today Shri Naveen Patnaik, Hon’ble Chief Minister, inaugurated Odisha, sports facilities and stadiums named after legends. I am grateful to Samanta Sir for counting me among the legends,” said athlete Srabani Nanda.
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