Image Credit: rhineruhr2025.com
Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), a deemed-to-be university in Odisha, will send the largest group of student-athletes from any Indian university to the upcoming 2025 World University Games (WUG) in Germany, highlighting the state’s rising prominence in sports.
Largest University Representation from India
A total of 40 athletes from KIIT have qualified to compete in seven different sporting disciplines at the prestigious Games, setting a new benchmark for representation by a single Indian university in any edition of the event.
The World University Games, widely regarded as the Olympics for university athletes aged 17 to 25, will be held from July 16 to 27 across venues in the Rhine-Ruhr region and Berlin. This year’s Games will witness over 300 Indian student-athletes from 61 universities, who were selected through rigorous trials involving competitors from more than 400 universities nationwide.
Odisha Shines on National Stage
Expressing pride over Odisha’s strong presence in the Indian contingent, KIIT founder Dr. Achyuta Samanta noted that the state has produced 42 athletes for the World University Games, ranking second only to Punjab in terms of participation.
“We’re extremely proud that over 40 athletes from Odisha will be representing India at this global event,” Dr. Samanta told ANI. “Odisha stands just behind Punjab in the number of athletes heading to the Games, which speaks volumes about the sports culture we’re building here. We’re grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his unwavering support of sports and athletes. Our student, Dyuti Chand, has already made history by clinching India’s first-ever gold medal at the World University Games.”
KIIT Leads Odisha’s Charge
Within Odisha, KIIT University has emerged as the state’s top contributor, accounting for the bulk of the athletes selected for the Games. In addition to KIIT’s 40 participants, Utkal University and Sambalpur University will each have one athlete representing India in Germany, bringing Odisha’s total to 42.
Institutional Support Powers Indian Contingent
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), and the Odisha Government have joined hands to support the Indian contingent, ensuring the athletes are well-prepared for international competition.
A Global Stage for Student-Athletes
Held every two years, the Summer World University Games stand among the world’s largest multi-sport events, attracting thousands of athletes from around the globe. Beyond high-level competition, the Games reflect the International University Sports Federation’s (FISU) motto, “Excellence in Mind and Body,” blending sports with educational and cultural exchanges.
The twelve-day event will feature competitions across fifteen compulsory sports, underscoring the Games’ reputation as a premier showcase of both athletic talent and academic spirit.
