Bhubaneswar: Promising tennis player Debasis Sahoo was presented the 31st Ekalabya Puraskar for his performances from April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2023 at the national and international levels.
The 17-year-old Odisha boy received a citation, trophy and Rs 5 lakh at a function held at The Crown-IHCL SeleQtions, Nayapalli.
Athlete Bapi Hansda and weightlifter Jyoshna Sabar were also honoured with a citation and Rs 1 lakh cash awards each.
S Madanlal, a member of the 1983 World Cup-winning team, was the chief guest and former Ranji player and NCA coach Pawan Agarwal was the guest of honour.
Baijayant Panda, chairman of Ekalabya Puraskar Committee 2023 and trustee, was present along with the jury members.
Ekalabya Puraskar, instituted by IMPaCT and managed by India’s leading ferro alloys producer IMFA in 1993, is given every year to encourage young talents of Odisha.
