Founder of KIIT and KISS Achyuta Samanta on Thursday announced ₹7 lakh to each of the 12 athletes who have qualified for the Paris Olympics 2024.

All the 12 athletes are students of the KIIT Deemed to be University (KIIT-DU).

Samant told the media: “We are happy that 12 students from KIIT are participating in the Paris Olympics 2024, making us and the country proud.”

The athletes who have earned their spots are — Amit Rohidas in Men’s Hockey, Kishore Kumar Jena in Javelin Throw; Parul Chaudhary in 3000m Steeplechase and 5000m; Priyanka in 20 km Race Walk and Marathon Race Walk Mixed Relay; Annu Rani in Javelin Throw; Jyothi Yarraji in 100m Hurdles; Tajinderpal Singh Toor in Shot Put; Abha Khatua in Shot Put; Prachi in the 4x400m Relay Team; Ankita in 5000m; Paramjeet Singh Bisht in 20km Race Walk and Suraj Panwar in the Marathon Race Walk Mixed Relay Team.

Congratulating the athletes at a special function, Samanta, said: “Your hard work and dedication have brought you to this prestigious stage.”

All 12 players, at present in various camps in different countries of Europe, joined the programme virtually.

Samanta said: “The KIIT & KISS is the first organization in India to send the highest number of players to the Olympics The KIIT & KISS has produced 20 Olympians and 2 Paralympians who represented India at the 2016 Rio Olympics, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and will be representing the country at the 2024 Paris Olympics. KIIT & KISS is proud to have 7 Arjuna Awardees.”

Joint secretary, sports & youth affairs, AIU (Association of Indian Universities) Prof. Baljit Singh Sekhon, Vice Chancellor, KIIT-DU Prof. Saranjit Singh, Registrar, KIIT-DU Prof. Jnyana Ranjan Mohanty, chief athletic coach Sanjaya Kumar Garnaik and director general, sports & yoga, KIIT-DU, Dr Gaganendu Dash, were also present.