Local favourite Debasis Sahoo bagged a double, winning both the singles titles in the Gurukul U-15 & U-19 Boys Tennis Tournament, which was organised by Gurukul Tennis Academy, Mendhashal, Bhubaneswar, on 26 and 27 December, 2020.

Debasis beat Subhranil Barman 6-3, 6-4 the in U-15 final match and Sangram Kumar Patra 4-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 in the U-19 summit clash. Debasis received a total cash prize of Rs 3,000. Runner-up Subhranil and Sangram settled with Rs 1,000 each.

This was the first tennis event in Odisha after the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic. Total 27 players from different parts of the state participated in the tournament. For the first time in the tennis history of Odisha, Avina Behera, a farmer of Mendhashal village, graced the closing ceremony as chief guest and handed over the trophies.

Former Odisha No 1 tennis player Chinmay Pradhan and senior tennis player Vivek Tibarewal were present on the occasion as guests. The tournament was conducted by referee and coach Santosh Kumar Mallik.
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PHOTO (Left to right): Debasis Sahoo, Avina Behera, Sangram Kumar Patra and Subhranil Barman at the presentation ceremony in Bhubaneswar on 27 December, 2020.