Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik bestowed the Biju Patnaik Award on prominent sports figures in the state, along with a cash prize of approximately Rs 2.12 crore.
In a special function held on the occasion of National Sports Day, Naveen Patnaik congratulated all athletes, coaches, and others involved in sports.
“It gives us great pleasure to honour you all. “I am confident that the accomplishments of the athletes being honoured today will inspire more young people to pursue sports as a career,” he said.
“We are investing in sports across the state and supporting sportspersons in their endeavour to achieve excellence,” Patnaik said, noting that sports is an important medium for the development of youth and society.
Weightlifter Jhili Dalabehera and shooter Shriyanka Sadangi were among the athletes who received the prestigious Biju Patnaik Award.
While Bishnu Mishra received the Biju Patnaik Sports Award for Excellence in Coaching, a citation, and a trophy, Benudhar Das received the Biju Patnaik Award for Excellence in Sports Journalism. He was awarded Rs 50,000, as well as a citation and a trophy.
Former Odisha International cricketer Debasis Mohanty received the Biju Patnaik Award for Lifetime Achievement in Sports and Games Promotion. He was awarded Rs 3 lakh, as well as a citation and a trophy.
The Biju Patnaik Sports Award for Best Contribution to Sports and Games went to Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP). On behalf of RSP, Atanu Bhowmick, Director, received Rs 1 lakh, a citation, and a trophy.
Suresh Routray, a Jatani Congress MLA, received an award from the chief minister on behalf of his son Siddhartha Routray, who recently climbed Mt. Everest.
Pratap Tarei, 14, and Subhashree Rout, 10, received the Biju Patnaik Bravery Award for their humanity and selfless acts of courage and bravery. The Chief Minister awarded them Rs 1 lakh each, along with a citation and a silver medal.
On this occasion, 53 meritorious Odisha sportspersons and para-sportspersons were appointed for their outstanding performance in their respective sports disciplines and for bringing laurels to their state and nation.
In the presence of the Chief Minister, bodybuilder Chandan Kumar Sahu, para-athlete Jayanti Behera, badminton player Rutarparna Panda, para-badminton athlete Sunil Pradhan, rugby player Muna Murmu, and hockey players Jiwan Kishori Toppo and Janhabi Pradhan received their appointment orders from Sports Minister Tusharkanti Behera.
In addition, 291 athletes received cash awards for their outstanding performance at the national and international levels.
Amit Rohidas and Deep Grace Ekka, both Commonwealth Games 2022 medalists in hockey, were also honoured by the Chief Minister. Deep received Rs 50 lakh for winning bronze, while Amit received Rs 75 lakh for winning silver.
Dutee Chand and Srabani Nanda were honoured for their participation in the CWG 2022, while Padmini Rout was honoured for her participation in the FIDE Chess Olympiad and Dinesh Kumar was honoured for his participation in the CWG 2022.
Similarly, chess player Saina Salonika received Rs 1.5 Lakh, football player Tankadhar Bag received Rs 2 Lakh, blind chess player Soundarya Pradhan received Rs 2 Lakh, wheelchair fencers V Ramesh Rao, Rakhal Sethy received Rs 2 Lakh, and Malati Panure received Rs 3 Lakh from the Sports Minister for their achievements on international platforms.
The Sports and Youth Services Department presented cash awards totaling Rs 2,12,82,500.
Prasanta Patnaik