Odisha Honours International Medal Winners, Reaffirms Commitment to Sports Excellence

Bhubaneswar: In a celebration of sporting excellence and international achievement, Sports and Youth Services Minister Suryabanshi Suraj on Monday felicitated four outstanding athletes from Odisha for their remarkable performances on the global stage, underscoring the State’s growing stature in competitive sports.

The athletes were honoured with cash incentives in recognition of their dedication, discipline and medal-winning performances, which have brought pride to Odisha and the nation. Extending his congratulations, the Minister lauded their perseverance and assured continued government support for nurturing sporting talent.

Loma Swain was awarded ₹5 lakh for securing a Bronze medal at the 2025 Tokyo Deaflympics, while Sarthak Arya received ₹2.09 lakh for his Bronze medal at the 3rd Asian Youth Games. Celebrated chess player Padmini Rout was presented with ₹2 lakh for her Bronze medal finish at the 2025 FIDE World Women’s Team Chess Championship. Weightlifter Bidushmita Bhoi was honoured with ₹1.33 lakh for her Gold medal performance at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship.

Addressing the gathering, Suryabanshi Suraj said the achievements of Odisha’s athletes have helped carve a distinct identity for the State on the global sports map. “The hard work and perseverance of our sportspersons inspire countless young aspirants. The State Government is committed to providing the right platform, modern infrastructure and world-class facilities to transform Odisha into a leading sports hub of the country,” he said.

The Minister added that such international successes would motivate the next generation of athletes and reaffirmed the government’s resolve to strengthen sports ecosystems across disciplines.

The felicitation ceremony was attended by Sachin Ramachandra Jadhav (IAS), Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Sports and Youth Services Department; Dr. Yedula Vijay (IAS), Director of Sports; and Padma Dilip Tirkey, President of Hockey India, along with other senior officials of the department.