As the 2025 FISU World University Games draw closer, Indian university sport is poised for a landmark moment.
Scheduled from July 16 to 27 across the Rhine-Ruhr region and Berlin, Germany, the Games often described as the “Olympics for student-athletes” aged 17–25 will witness India’s largest-ever university contingent. Over 300 Indian student-athletes from 61 universities, selected through intense national trials, will compete against the best in the world.
At the heart of this historic campaign is the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT-DU), which has emerged as the standout contributor, sending the largest Indian university contingent in history: 40 athletes competing across seven disciplines. This feat not only highlights KIIT’s sustained investment in sports but also reflects a growing, nationwide momentum among Indian universities to blend education with high-performance athletics.
KIIT-DU: Building a Sporting Legacy
KIIT’s representation this year isn’t accidental; it stems from a consistent vision. The university has been entrusted by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) as a Nodal University for the Games a role it has performed in past editions like Napoli 2019 and Chengdu 2023.
Founder Dr. Achyuta Samanta’s philosophy of “Education with Sports” has translated into massive investments: Olympic-standard infrastructure, modern training facilities, professional coaching, and scholarships that prioritize the holistic growth of athletes.
Among the standout athletes from KIIT this year:
- Ms. Rupal – 400m sprint
- Ms. Ankita Dhyani – 3000m steeplechase
- Mr. Jeswin Aldrin – Long Jump
- Mr. Praveen Chithravel – Triple Jump
- Mr. Animesh Kujur – Current national record holder in 100m sprint
These athletes are symbols of KIIT’s evolution from a young university to a national powerhouse in sports, carrying not just medals but the aspirations of India’s growing university sports ecosystem.
KIIT’s contribution extends beyond athletes. Key figures like Arjuna Awardee Rahul Banerjee (Archery), Surinder Singh (National Archery Coach), and Sanjay Garnaik (International Athletics Coach) will guide India’s contingent. The delegation will also benefit from Lotak Bindu Dash (Volleyball) and Baljit Singh Sekhon (Shooting), ensuring professional mentorship across disciplines.
Notably, Odisha itself will send 42 players: 40 from KIIT and one each from Utkal and Sambalpur Universities, making it the second-highest contributor state after Punjab.
Alva’s Education Foundation & Mangalore University: Quiet Catalysts
Away from the headlines, Alva’s Education Foundation has quietly become a major player through its Sports Adoption Scheme, which helps athletes train without financial worry. Representing Mangalore University, Alva’s will send 11 more athletes this year, increasing their total contribution to 32 one of the highest from a single educational foundation.
Key athletes include:
- Gagan (5000m), Sachin (20 km walk), Balakrishna (400m), N. Taufique (Decathlon)
- Women: Deekshita Ramakrishna Gowda (400m hurdles), Basanti Kumari & Jyoti (Half marathon), Manju Yadav (Steeplechase), Sindhusree (Pole vault), Sakshi Sharma (Javelin throw), Shalini (20 km walk)
Foundation president M. Mohan Alva emphasized how institutional support bridges financial gaps: while Mangalore University contributes ₹75,000 per athlete, the foundation covers the remaining cost, around ₹1.75 lakh, per athlete.
Chandigarh University: Expanding Sporting Horizons
Chandigarh University (CU) has emerged as the private university with the second-highest representation after KIIT, sending 25 athletes across eight sports. This reflects CU’s sustained push to become a sporting hub, as evident in the breadth of disciplines its athletes cover: table tennis, athletics, swimming, archery, judo, fencing, rowing, and volleyball.
Key names and achievements:
- Ananya Chande (Table Tennis): Three golds at South Asian Youth TT Championship 2025; ranked 8th U-19 in India
- Divyansh Srivastava and Syed Ali Abbas: Multiple medals in Khelo India University Games and national championships
- Athletics: Tanya, Shiksha, Vanshika, Savan, Sanjay Kumar, Priya each with medals in All India Inter University and national meets
- Swimming: Harsh Saroha, Aditya Dubey, Anurag Singh – multiple golds in inter-university and Khelo India Games
- Rowing: Rohit Bedwal, Vishal, Rajat Kumar, Saurabh, Ankit, Harvinder Singh Cheema – national champions with a consistent medal haul
Beyond medals, CU’s narrative is about scale and inclusivity: moving from niche sports like table tennis and fencing to mass-participation events like athletics and rowing, proving the depth of India’s student-athlete talent.
LPU: Blending Academics and Sport
Lovely Professional University (LPU) continues its strategic blend of academics and elite sports, sending 13 athletes across seven sports: athletics, archery, taekwondo, judo, fencing, rowing, and badminton.
Highlights:
- Abhishek, Abhimanyu, Pooja – Athletics
- Mrinal Chauhan – Archery
- Satvinder – Taekwondo; Khaidem Taibanganbi Chanu – Judo
- Sameja Khushi Ishwarbhai – Fencing
- Rowers: Mohit Kumar, Diksha, Pavitra, Pooja, Rahul
- Rajul Saini – Badminton
Dr. Ashok Kumar Mittal, LPU’s Founder Chancellor, credits the university’s EduRevolution approach: flexible academics, scholarships, and Olympic-level infrastructure ensuring athletes focus on sport without academic compromise.
A Symbolic Milestone: Khinsan Wangsu from Arunachal Pradesh
Beyond big universities, inspiring stories emerge. Khinsan Wangsu, from Longding district, Arunachal Pradesh, will represent India in the 13-member women’s taekwondo team, selected after trials at Guru Nanak Dev University.
Her journey four golds, one silver, and two bronzes at nationals, and two gold medals at National Games is a testament to how student-athletes from underrepresented regions now find global platforms through university sports.
The FISU World University Games aren’t just about medals. They are about narrative: stories of universities like KIIT redefining India’s sporting reputation; of foundations like Alva’s nurturing hidden talent; of private institutions like CU and LPU investing strategically; and of athletes like Wangsu, proving that geography is no longer destiny.
Together, these stories show how Indian university sport, once limited to domestic championships, is now a pipeline to global excellence.
Summary: Sports-wise representation by athletes from different universities
| Sport | Key Universities & Athletes |
| Athletics | KIIT (Rupal, Ankita, Animesh, Praveen); Alva’s/Mangalore University (Gagan, Sachin, Balakrishna, etc.); Chandigarh University (Tanya, Shiksha, Vanshika, etc.); LPU (Abhishek, Abhimanyu, Pooja) |
| Swimming | Chandigarh University (Harsh Saroha, Aditya Dubey, Anurag Singh) |
| Rowing | Chandigarh University (Rohit Bedwal, Vishal, Rajat, etc.); LPU (Mohit Kumar, Diksha, Pavitra, Pooja, Rahul) |
| Table Tennis | Chandigarh University (Ananya, Divyansh, Syed Ali Abbas) |
| Archery | LPU (Mrinal Chauhan); KIIT-supported coaches and officials |
| Judo | Chandigarh University (Yash S Ghangas); LPU (Khaidem Taibanganbi Chanu) |
| Fencing | Chandigarh University (Rahul, Lokesh); LPU (Sameja Khushi Ishwarbhai) |
| Taekwondo | LPU (Satvinder); Khinsan Wangsu (Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak) |
| Volleyball | Chandigarh University (Sakshi Dubey) |
| Badminton | LPU (Rajul Saini) |
| Decathlon, Pole Vault, Javelin, Steeplechase, Walk | Alva’s/Mangalore University (multiple athletes) |
College-wise numbers (approximate):
- KIIT-DU: 40 athletes (largest contingent; athletics-led, plus other sports)
- Mangalore University / Alva’s Foundation: 32 athletes (largely athletics)
- Chandigarh University: 25 athletes (spread across 8 sports)
- Lovely Professional University (LPU): 13 athletes (7 sports)
- Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak: At least 1 (Khinsan Wangsu, taekwondo)
- Utkal & Sambalpur Universities: 1 each from Odisha
As India steps into the 2025 FISU World University Games, it does so as a more diverse, inclusive, and competitive sporting nation than ever before – thanks to universities that see sport not as an extracurricular activity, but as a cornerstone of their identity.
