Biju Patnaik Sports Awards: Journalist To Get Honour After 5 Years

Bhubaneswar: A selection committee constituted by the Department of Sports and Youth Services has recommended Bhubaneswar-born former Indian speedster Debasis Mohanty for Biju Patnaik Sports Award for ‘Lifetime Achievement’ in promotion of sports and games.

The lanky medium pacer claimed Saeed Anwar in his first ODI Sahara ‘Friendship Cup’ between India and Pakistan in 1997. He was also India’s second highest wicket-taker in the 1999 World Cup, putting up his best in the games against Kenya and England. He played his final ODI in 2001. He is currently a member of the national selection committee that picks the Indian cricket team.

The other names include weightlifter Jhili Dalabehera and shooter Shriyanka Sadangi for ‘Outstanding Performance’ in sports and games. Jhilli Dalabehera, a former World Junior bronze medallist, won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships 2021 in December last year and a gold medal in Women’s 45kg weight division at Asian Weightlifting Championships in April 2021. Shriyanka Sadangi along with Akhil Sheoran of India bagged the bronze medal in the 50m rifle 3 positions mixed team event of the ISSF World Cup in March.

Athletics coach Bishnu Prasad Mishra has been recommended for Biju Patnaik Sports Award in Coaching.

After five years, a sports journalist will receive the prestigious award. Benudhar Das of leading Odia daily Samaja has been recommended for Excellence in Sports Journalism.

Notably, no sports journalist was given the award from 2017 to 2021. Prior to this, 19 sports journalists were felicitated.

The jury, comprising Odisha Administrative Services Officer Sailendra Jena, Olympian Anuradha Biswal, Arjuna awardee Minati Mohapatra, former athlete Bibekananda Tripathy, sports journalist Umakant Mishra, sports administrator Rabindra Parida and Odisha Olympic Association Secretary Avijit Paul, has also recommended Rourkela Steel Plant, a subsidiary of SAIL, for ‘Best Contribution’ to promotion of sports and games.

These names have been sent to the Odisha government for approval, sources added.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will hand over the awards at a function in Bhubaneswar on August 28.