Bhubaneswar: Members of Odisha Sports Journalists’ Association (OSJA) paid tribute to eminent sports journalist Dr Ashok Pattnaik on the occasion of his 19th death anniversary on Friday.
In a memorial meeting held here at Saheed Sporting Club ground, Pattnaik’s role as a sports scribe in particular and an unassuming intellectual in general was highly venerated by the members. The meeting assumed added significance with the presence of Pattnaik’s friend, philosopher and guide, Dr Narayan Sahoo as a guest.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Sahoo, an eminent scholar and dramatist, described Pattnaik as an intellectual with immense love for sports. “Ashok did not join sports journalism to earn his bread and butter. He did it because he loved sports. His endeavour to spread awareness about sports in Odisha and encourage sportspersons of the state was exemplary,” reminisced Dr Sahoo, who shared a single room with Pattnaik during their bachelorhood.
Describing Pattnaik’s early days as a sports journalist, he said, “He was getting a pittance and wrote dissertations in various subjects to supplement his income. But he loved to work as a sports scribe and his commitment to the profession was absolute,” added Dr Sahoo, who also suggested to revive the sports awards instituted in the memory of Dr Patnaik.
Senior sports journalist Rajanikanta Satrusalya, who is a contemporary of Patnaik, praised the sense of responsibility of the latter. “Patnaik was very hardworking and punctual. Despite hardship, he always gave his best to sports journalism,” he said.
Among fellow sports journalists, OSJA vice-presidents Sambit Mohapatra and Suresh Swain; secretary Sanatan Pani, joint-secretary Debi Prasana Mohanty, treasurer Himanshu Patimishra and senior member Sanjib Biswal reminisced their experience of working with Pattnaik.
OSJA joint-secretary Samikhya Pattnaik and members Umakant Mishra, Debasis Sundaray, Sarbeswar Mohanty, Jagadiswar Das, Samir Rout, Kumar Bimal, Debi Prasanna Panigrahi, Tanmay Das, Rashmiprava Rath and Chiranjib Pati were present.
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