KIIT and KISS founder calls for collective efforts to strengthen
university sports and prepare Indian athletes for the Commonwealth Games
THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, OCTOBER 11, 2026
In a move aimed at strengthening university
sports and expanding opportunities for young athletes, educationist and social
reformer Achyuta Samanta has been unanimously elected the first President of
the Indian UniSport Federation (IUSF).
Elected at the federation’s inaugural annual
general meeting in Bhubaneswar on Sunday, Samanta called for collective efforts
to prepare Indian athletes for the upcoming Commonwealth Games in India. He
urged universities, sports administrators and other stakeholders to work
together to advance the Prime Minister’s vision for sports development in the
country.
Recognised by the Union Ministry of Youth
Affairs and Sports, the IUSF seeks to strengthen university-level sports,
promote transparent governance and create greater opportunities for young
athletes across the country.
Samanta’s election comes in recognition of his
contribution to university sports through the Kalinga Institute of Industrial
Technology (KIIT) and the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS). Under
his leadership, the institutions have developed a sports ecosystem that
combines education with sporting excellence and athlete welfare. It includes
more than 30 sports facilities, professional coaching, sports science,
nutrition, medical care and rehabilitation support.
As many as 24 athletes from KIIT and KISS have
represented India at the Olympic Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and
World University Games. KIIT has also served as India’s nodal university for
the World University Games since the 2019 edition in Napoli, Italy.
At the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya,
Japan, 54 students from the two institutions represented India, winning a total
of 21 medals — three gold, seven silver and 11 bronze. The participation of
such a large contingent from a single Indian university was a notable
achievement.
As IUSF President, Samanta has stressed the
importance of fair competition, accountable governance and athlete-centred
development. He expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and
Sports, Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, universities and other stakeholders
for their support.
Samanta has held several positions in national
and international sports organisations. He is a former president of the
Volleyball Federation of India and currently heads the Odisha Volleyball
Association. He is also associated with the International Volleyball Federation
(FIVB). Over the years, he has built links with international sports bodies,
including FIFA, FIVB and FIDE. He has received the highest honour conferred by
the FIVB for his contribution to the promotion of volleyball and chess.
Since 2004, Samanta has worked to promote
sports and support athletes through KIIT and KISS. The institutions have
invested in international-standard sports infrastructure and provided students
with opportunities to compete at the State, national and international levels.
One athlete from the institutions has received the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna
Award, while 14 others have been honoured with the Arjuna Award.
