KIIT-KISS founder Achyuta Samanta unanimously elected first president of Indian UniSport Federation

The meeting saw significant nationwide representation, with delegates from 27 different state and regional university sports associations in attendance. The primary mission of the newly formed federation is to bring various universities onto a single platform to better identify, train, and nurture sporting talent.

Accepting his new role, Prof. Samanta expressed his deep gratitude to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the Government of India, and the various stakeholders who have come together to launch this initiative. He emphasized a core philosophy for the federation: ensuring that every talented athlete receives a fair opportunity to compete and advance, regardless of their socio-economic background or the specific institution they represent.

"University sport must offer every talented athlete a fair opportunity to compete and progress, irrespective of background or institution," Prof. Samanta stated, noting that the federation will work collaboratively to build a robust future for Indian university sports.

Aligning with National Sporting Visions

The IUSF is positioning itself as a key driver in realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of transforming India into a global sporting powerhouse. By strengthening the university-athlete pipeline, the federation aims to bolster India's competitive standing for major upcoming international events, including the 2030 Commonwealth Games and the 2036 Olympic Games.

Prof. Samanta specifically extended his thanks to Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, for the official approval of the federation.

Transparency and Athlete Welfare at the Core

During the proceedings, several critical concerns were raised by university representatives regarding membership fees, registration costs, financial transparency, and the selection of sports officials. In response, Prof. Samanta pledged a commitment to transparent, evidence-based decision-making.

Key financial and governance priorities outlined by the IUSF include:

• Uniform Membership: A standard annual subscription of Rs 50,000 for both government and private institutions.
• Zero Player Fees: There will be no individual participation fees charged to players.
• Fund Reinvestment: Any fees collected from state governments or universities will be directly utilized for the welfare and benefit of the athletes.
• Accountability: The federation intends to publish audited annual accounts and provide clear information on how membership fees and sports-related expenditures are managed.

Comprehensive Support for Student-Athletes

Beyond administrative governance, the IUSF has detailed an ambitious roadmap to support the holistic development of athletes. The federation plans to facilitate greater access to high-quality coaching, sports science, specialized nutrition, and essential services such as injury prevention and rehabilitation.

To ensure a smooth transition from campus to the global stage, the federation will focus on:

1. Creating clear pathways to prestigious events like the Khelo India Games.
2. Encouraging regular university leagues and competitions.
3. Providing educational and financial assistance to top-performing athletes.
4. Establishing independent selection panels and grievance redressal mechanisms to ensure fair competition.

Looking toward the future, the IUSF intends to forge stronger ties with the International University Sports Federation (FISU) and other global bodies to increase international exposure and competition opportunities for Indian university athletes.