Krishnaswamy Ravi retained his post as the president of Odisha Sports Journalists’ Association (OSJA), while working president Sanatan Pani became the new secretary in the elections of the state body, held during its annual general meeting (AGM) here at Kedar Gouri Temple premises today.

In two other important changes, Sandeep Mishra replaced Sanatan Pani as the working president, while outgoing secretary Suresh Swain was nominated as vice-president. All the office-bearers were elected unopposed for a two-year term (2017 to 2019). Many important decisions regarding promotion of sports and sports scribes of the state were taken in AGM, which was presided over by K Ravi.

According the decisions, OSJA would observe its Foundation Day on March 21, World Sports Journalists Day on July 2 and Dr Ashok Patnaik Memorial Meeting on August 18. On the occasion of the Foundation Day, OSJA would confer annual awards on two sportspersons, one sports administrator and felicitate young sports journalists. As part of its annual programme, OSJA would also organise four seminars/workshops on issues related to sports and young sports journalists of Odisha.

Proposals to revive Media Cup Cricket Tournament and introduce insurance scheme for members of OSJA were approved in the AGM. Decisions to apply for government accreditation for sports journalists and office rooms for OSJA at Kalinga Stadium (Bhubaneswar) and Barabati Stadium (Cuttack) were also taken in the meeting.

All the office-bearers along with members Rajanikanta Shatrusalya, Surya Prasad Rath, Tapan Swain, Sujit Das, Niranjan Reddy, Dipti Ranjan Samal, Sukesh Behera, Shakti Prasad Nanda, Samir Rout, Benudhar Das, Manoranjan Das, Mahendra Sahoo, Rashmiprava Rath, Kumar Bimal, Pratap Pradhan and Debi Prasad Panigrahi were present in the AGM.

OSJA OFFICE-BEARERS FOR THE TERM 2017-2019:
President: K Ravi; Working president: Sandeep Mishra; Vice-presidents: Sushant Mohanty, Suresh Swain, Sambit Mohapatra; Secretary: Sanatan Pani; Joint-secretaries: Debi Prasana Mohanty, Samikhya Pattnaik; Treasurer: Himanshu Patimishra; Executive Committee Members: Debasish Sundaray, Sarbeswar Mohanty, Gyana Ranjan Mishra, Uma Kanta Mishra, Subhalaxmi Bal, Tanmay Das.
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PHOTO: Office-bearers and members at the OSJA Annual General Meeting in Bhubaneswar on April 18, 2017.