Bhubaneswar: Noted sportsperson, sports administrator and columnist Ashok Mohanty passed away in Bhubaneswar late Saturday night after months-long illness. He was 76.
He is survived by his wife, a married son, and a daughter.
Fondly known as “Dulu Bhai” in the state’s sports fraternity, Mohanty was a respected figure who left a profound impact on Odisha’s sports landscape. During his youth, he was a versatile sportsman, representing various school, college, and university teams across multiple disciplines, including hockey, football, table tennis and basketball.
Beyond his playing days, Mohanty transitioned into sports governance, dedicating decades to the development of athletics and other disciplines in the state. He served the Department of Sports and Youth Services for 33 years and superannuated as Additional Director in 2009. Recognised as an institution of sports knowledge, fondly referred to as an “encyclopedia of Odisha sports”, Mohanty received several prestigious accolades throughout his career for his contribution to sports administration.
Even in his later years and during his illness, Mohanty regularly authored sports columns for various leading news platforms, including Odisha Bytes, and maintained an active, engaging presence on social media, sharing insights on the state of sports development. He frequently documented historical milestones, including reflections on the legendary hockey icon Major Dhyan Chand, and meticulously tracked Odisha’s transformation into a major national and international sports hub.
The state’s journalistic and sports fraternities mourned his demise. The Odisha Sports Journalists’ Association (OSJA) expressed profound grief over his passing, with President Sandeep Mishra, Working President Samikshya Patnaik, and Secretary Tapan Swain extending their deepest condolences to the bereaved family.
