Odisha athletes achieved best at the KIYG 2022, winning a total of 30 medals, including 11 gold, 8 silver and 11 bronze. The State Government honoured their achievement by awarding cash prizes of Rs 1 lakh, Rs 75,000, and Rs 50,000 for gold, silver and bronze medals, respectively, to every medal winner, regardless of whether their accomplishment was in a team or individual sport.

Apart from their stellar exploits in Khelo India, athletes from Odisha have been impressive in several global competitions as well. The latter half of the felicitation ceremony was dedicated to them.

Para Athlete Pramod Bhagat was recognized for his performance at the BWF Para Badminton Championship, where he earned an individual gold and a team silver. He was rewarded with a total of Rs 27 Lakh. While Para Athlete Jayanti Behara, who secured three medals at the WAS World Games 2022 in Portugal, received a total of 54 Lakhs for her two gold in 200m and 400m and a silver in 100m. Athlete Sabita Toppo won a total cash reward of Rs 2,92,000 for her achievements at the 4th Asian Youth Athletics Championship.

The members of the Indian Hockey Team that secured bronze medals in Asia Cup 2022 and Men Asian Champions Trophy were honoured with cash prizes as well. Dipsan Tirkey and Neelam Sanjeep Xess received Rs 3,75,000 each while Birendra Lakra and Abhiskek Lakhra received Rs 2,50,000 each for their showing at the Asia Cup 2022. Similarly, Shilananda Lakhra received Rs 1,25,000 for the Men Asian Champions Trophy.

Among the others felicitated were Saina Salonika (chess), Shriynaka Sadangi (shooting), Swasti Singh (cycling), Senior Women kho-kho team, Ayush Patnaik, Abhinash Mohanty, Abhijit Maharana and Harshita Rout (badminton). The medal winners of the 37th Junior National Athletics Championship were also awarded with cash prizes.

The felicitation ceremony was attended by the athletes, their coaches, and family members, as well as officials from the Sports and Youth Services Department, Odisha. The event was marked by joy, pride, and camaraderie, as the athletes celebrated their success and thanked the government for its recognition and encouragement.
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TOP: Members of Odisha kayaking and canoeing squad that bagged most medal (11) at the Khelo India Youth Games 2022, gets felicitated by the State Government in Bhubaneswar on 21 February 2023.
RIGHT: Members of Odisha athletics squad that won the second most medals (7) at the Khelo India Youth Games 2022, pose at the State Government felicitation ceremony Government in Bhubaneswar on 21 February 2023.