Election of Dr. Achyuta Samanta as IUSF President
Dr. Achyuta Samanta, noted educationist, social reformer and founder of Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) and Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), was unanimously elected the first President of the Indian UniSport Federation (IUSF) during its inaugural Annual General Meeting held in Bhubaneswar on Sunday, 14 October 2026. The Federation, recognised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, aims to strengthen university sports, promote transparent governance and expand opportunities for young athletes across India.
Vision and Call to Action
In his address, Dr. Samanta called for collective efforts to ready Indian athletes for the upcoming Commonwealth Games in India and urged all stakeholders to work together to realise the Prime Minister’s vision for sports development in the country.
Contributions of KIIT and KISS
Under Dr. Samanta’s leadership, KIIT and KISS have built a comprehensive sports ecosystem that includes more than 30 sports facilities, professional coaching, sports‑science support, nutrition, medical care and rehabilitation services. A total of 24 athletes from these institutions have represented India at the Olympic Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and World University Games. KIIT has served as India’s nodal university for the World University Games since Napoli 2019. More recently, 54 students from KIIT and KISS participated in the 20th Asian Games in Aichi‑Nagoya, Japan, securing 21 medals – three gold, seven silver and eleven bronze.
Governance Emphasis
As IUSF President, Dr. Samanta emphasised fair competition, accountable governance and athlete‑centred development. He expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, universities and other sports stakeholders for their support.
Prior Roles and Recognitions
Dr. Samanta previously served as President of the Volleyball Federation of India and currently serves as President of the Odisha Volleyball Association. He is associated with the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) and has cultivated strong relationships with leading international sports bodies, including FIFA, FIVB and FIDE. In recognition of his contributions to volleyball and chess, he received the highest honour conferred by the FIVB. Since 2004, he has consistently promoted sports and supported athletes through KIIT and KISS, developing international‑standard infrastructure and providing platforms for talent showcase at state, national and international levels. One of his athletes has been awarded the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, while 14 others have received the Arjuna Award.