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Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) Deemed to be University won the womens hockey gold medal for the first time in the 5th Khelo India University Games, defeating ITM University, Gwalior 1-0 in the hard-fought final at Sawai Mansingh Stadium Hockey Ground in Jaipur, Rajasthan today.
Aliva Jate scored the all-important goal in the 34th minute. KIIT captain Nikita Toppo, a junior international, played an instrumental role for her team throughout the tournament. Coach Amulyananda Bihari also contributed a lot in moulding the KIIT team into a formidable unit.
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The 18-member KIIT women hockey team featured: Anjali Munda, Anjali Barwa, Dipika Barwa, Mariyam Dhanwar, Precila Tirkey, Priya Toppo, Priyanka Toppo, Sabitri Oram, Sonia Topno, Sumi Mundari, Usha Tirkey, Arti Xalxo, Rajani Ekka, Aliva Jate, Archana Xalxo, Jamuna Ekka, Nikita Toppo (Captain) and Rambha Kujur.
KIIT also secured one silver medal in athletics as Abhay Singh finished second in the mens 200m sprint with a time of 21.52 seconds. With two medals today, the total of KIIT increased to 16, which include six gold, two silver and eight bronze. The combined tally of four Odisha universities reached 23.
Meanwhile, Swetapadma Dalai, the No 1 woman table tennis player of Odisha, won KIUG 2025 team bronze medal for Punjab University in Jodhpur, Rajasthan today. Swetapadma chose to pursue her graduation and play for Punjab University as she did not find an opportunity to represent any Odisha university at the Khelo India University Games.
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TOP: KIIT womens hockey team celebrates after bagging the gold medal at the 5th Khelo India University Games in Jaipur on 3 December 2025.
RIGHT: Odisha table tennis player Swetapadma Dalai poses with the bronze medal for Punjab University at the 5th Khelo India University Games in Jodhpur on 3 December 2025.
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