Odisha junior Davis Cupper Debasis Sahoo was conferred with the 31st Ekalabya Puraskar for the year 2023 today. The young tennis player bagged the award for his impressive performance from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2023 at both national and international levels.

Debasis was presented with a citation, trophy and Rs 5 lakh cash in a programme at a star hotel in Bhubaneswar. Besides Debasis, promising athlete Bapi Hansda and weightlifter Jyoshna Sabar were honoured with citation and Rs 1 lakh cash awards each on this occasion.

Cricket legend and member of 1983 World Cup winning Team Indian team, Madan Lal graced the Ekalabya Puraskar function as chief guest. Former Odisha cricketer and NCA coach Pawan Agarwal was the guest of honour. Ekalabya Puraskar Committee Chairman and Trustee Baijayant Panda was present along with the jury members.

Instituted in the year 1993 by Indian Metal Public Charitable Trust (IMPaCT), managed by leading ferro alloys producing company IMFA, Ekalabya Puraskar has come a long way to be recognised as the most prestigious sports award of Odisha, drawing parallels with many national awards.

The award is given every year to young sportspersons of Odisha in recognition of their outstanding performance in the preceding two years.

ROLL OF HONOUR:
2023 (31st): Debasis Sahoo (Tennis). Citations: Bapi Hansda (Athletics), Jyoshna Sabar (Weightlifting).
2022 (30th): Swasti Singh (Cycling). Citations: Pyari Xaxa (Football), Shilanand Lakra (Hockey).
2021 (29th): Rutaparna Panda (Badminiton). Citations: Swasti Singh (Cycling), Pyari Xaxa (Football).
2020 (28th): Namita Toppo (Hockey). Citations: Sneha Soren (Weightlifting); Rutaparna Panda (Badminton).
2019 (27th): Jhili Dalabehera (Weightlifting). Citations: Jabamani Tudu (Football), Namita Toppo (Hockey).
2018 (26th): Lilima Minz (Hockey). Citations: Jhili Dalabehera (Weightlifting), Rutaparna Panda (Badminton).
2017 (25th): Dipsan Tirkey (Hockey). Citations: Amiya Kumar Mallick (Athletics), Deep Grace Ekka (Hockey)
2016 (24th): Srabani Nanda (Athletics). Citations: Dipsan Tirkey (Hockey), Deep Grace Ekka (Hockey).
2015 (23rd): Dutee Chand (Athletics). Citations: Pramila Kirsani (Weightlifting), Saina Salonika (Chess).
2014 (22nd): Purnima Hembram (Athletics). Citations: Rasanara Parbin (Cricket), Manjula Xess (Rowing).
2013 (21st): Shriyanka Sadangi (Shooting). Citations: Dutee Chand (Athletics), Achyutananda Sahu (Weightlifting).
2012 (20th): Debasish Das (Chess). Citations: Pramila Kirsani (Weightlifting), Srabanin Nanda (Athletics).
2011 (19th): Pratima Puhana (Rowing). Citations: Pramila Prava Minz (Rowing), Sasmita Malik (Football).
2010 (18th): Kiran Manisha Mohanty (Chess); Debasish Das (Chess), Pratima Puhana (Rowing)
2009 (17th): K Ravi Kumar (Weightlifting). Citations: Kiran Manisha Mohanty (Chess), Amiya Kumar Mallick (Athletics).
2008 (26th): Padmini Rout (Chess). Citations: Srabani Nanda (Athletics), Rohit Kumar Swain (Rowing).
2007 (15th): Mamata Jena (Rowing). Citations: Kiran Manisha Mohanty (Chess) and Dandu Soren (Athletics).
2006 (14th): Pravasini Dwivedy (Rowing). Citations: Namita Samal (Athletics) and Gitanjali Jena (Athletics).
2005 (13th): Subhadra Pradhan (Hockey). Citations: Jhililata Sena (Volleyball), Sasmita Malik (Football).
2004 (12th): William Xalxo (Hockey). Citations: Monalisa Mohanty (Rowing) and Subhadra Pradhan (Hockey).
2003 (11th): Ignace Tirkey (Hockey). Citations: Sradhanjali Samantaray (Football) and Swayangsu Satyapragyan (Chess).
2002 (10th): Prabodh Tirkey (Hockey). Citations: Ignace Tirkey (Hockey) and Prasmita Mangaraj (Weightlifting).
2001 (9th): Rashmi Ranjan Parida (Cricket). Citations: Prabodh Kumar Tirkey (Hockey) and Tikina Gopal (Weightlifting).
2000 (8th): Anuradha Biswal (Athletics). Citations: Rajesh Hasdak (Archery) and Agnesia Lugun (Hockey).
1999 (7th): Lazarus Barla (Hockey). Citations: Jyoti Sunita Kullu (Hockey) and Anuradha Biswal (Athletics).
1998 (6th): Debasis Mohanty (Cricket). Citations: Lazarus Barla (Hockey) and Jyoti Sunita Kullu (Hockey).
1997 (5th): Sanjay Raul (Cricket). Citations: Jyoti Sunita Kullu (Hockey) and Sahebani Oram (Athletics).
1996 (4th): Dillip Kumar Tirkey (Hockey). Citations: Gangadhar Madhi (Archery), Sanjay Raul (Cricket).
1995 (3rd): Shiv Sundar Das (Cricket). Citations: Rajendra Guiya (Archery), Sanjay Raul (Cricket).
1994 (2nd): Gloria Dung Dung (Hockey). Citations: Sanjay Raul (Cricket), S Sujata (Karate).
1993 (1st): Rachita Panda (Athletics). Citations: Ranjib Biswal (Cricket), Anuradha Biswal (Athletics).
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PHOTO: Ekalabya Puraskar winner Debasis Sahoo (3rd from right) poses with citation recipients Bapi Handa and Jyoshna Sabar, chief guest Madan Lal, guest of honor Pawan Agarwal and IMPaCT trustee Baijayant Panda at the Ekalabya Puraskar function in Bhubaneswar on 27 December 2023.