Odisha hockey international Dipsan Tirkey was today chosen to receive the 25th Ekalabya Puraskar-2017. International sprinter Amiya Mallick and woman hockey Olympian Deep Grace Ekka were selected for citations. Instituted in the year 1993 by IMPaCT, the social wing of IMFA, Ekalabya Puraskar will be celebrating its silver jubilee this year.

Tirkey was a member of the Indian team that emerged champions in the 8th Junior Men`s Asia Cup Hockey Tournament in Malayasia and is a rising star in the current national team. He will receive a cash award of Rs 5 lakh and a citation at the Ekalabya Award function, the date of which will be announced later. Also a member of Kalinga Lancers, defender Tirkey had received the Ekalabya citation last year.

Mallick and Ekka will be felicitated for their remarkable performances at various international and national competitions. Both will receive a cash prize of Rs 50,000 each along with citations. This is second successive year that Ekka will be getting the citation.