12 sportspersons from Odisha in India’s Asian Games 2018 squad

Odisha will have 12 participants for the upcoming Asian Games 2018 to be held in Jakarta, Indonesia from 19 August to 2nd September. It will be India’s 18th appearance at the Asian Games.

The 12 sportspersons from Odisha who have booked their berths for the Asian Games are Dutee Chand (Athletics), Jauna Murmu (Athletics), Purnima Hembram (Heptathlon), Rakesh Patra (Gymnastics), Rutuparna Panda (Badminton) and Sanjukta Dung Dung (Rowing). The hockey players are Birendra Lakra & Amit Rohidas (Men) and Sunita Lakra, Deep Grace Ekka, Namita Toppo & Lilima Minz (Women).

A meeting was organised by KIIT and KISS in Bhubaneswar to wish the four young women, who were students of the university, grand success in the Games. The four sportspersons include athletes Dutee Chand, Jauna Murmu, Purnima Hembram and badminton player Rutuparna Panda.

Dutee, who had represented the country in Rio Olympics, has qualified for 100m and 200m events. Jauna and Purnima will take part in 400m hurdles and heptathlon, respectively. Rutuparna is part of the Indian badminton squad.

“Our students have been bringing glory for the country in the field of sports for the last 10 years. They have been representing India and Odisha regularly in international and national level events, including Olympics, Asian and Commonwealth Games,” said KIIT founder and Rajya Sabha MP Achyuta Samanta.

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