Bhubaneswar: In a grand celebration of sporting excellence, the Odisha Government marked National Sports Day by honoring outstanding athletes and coaches with the prestigious Biju Patnaik Sports Awards. The awards were presented during a ceremony at Lok Seva Bhavan, where Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi acknowledged the contributions of sports personalities to both the state and the nation.
The ceremony spotlighted Rudra Prasad Mallick, who was awarded the Biju Patnaik Sahasikata Puraskar, accompanied by a citation and a cash prize of ₹2 lakhs. Mallick was recognized for his courageous contributions to sports.
Emerging as a star in her field, weightlifter Suchismita Bhoi was honored as the Best Upcoming Athlete, earning a cash reward of ₹2 lakhs. Hockey legend Lazarus Barla received the Lifetime Achievement Award, a trophy, and ₹4 lakhs for his immense contributions to the sport.
In recognition of his recent achievements, Javelin thrower Kishore Kumar Jena was presented with the Outstanding Sportsperson Award, along with ₹3 lakhs. Hockey coach Bijaya Kumar Lakra was lauded with the Excellence in Coaching Award, receiving ₹2 lakhs for his dedication to developing talent.
Cricketer Mohammed Zafar Iqbal was awarded ₹2 lakhs as the Outstanding Differently-Abled Sportsperson, while Sukesh Ranjan Behera was recognized for Excellence in Sports Journalism. Rupaniwta Panda was named the Outstanding Technical Officer, with both receiving ₹2 lakhs each. NALCO was honored for its commitment to sports promotion, receiving the Outstanding Sponsor Award.
The event was attended by prominent figures, including Minister of Sports and Youth Services Suryabanshi Suraj, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, Sports Secretary Bhaskar Sarma, and Sports Director Siddharth Das, along with senior members of sports associations and other dignitaries. Together, they celebrated the achievements of the awardees, reinforcing Odisha’s dedication to nurturing and supporting sporting talent at every level.
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