Hockey Coach Peter Tirkey and Football Coach Rajendra Prasad Singh were conferred with the Lifetime Ahievement Award, a testament to their unwavering dedication and guidance in shaping the future of young sportsperson. Each coach was presented with a cash award of Rs 3 lakhs.

Hockey coach Pradeep Kumar Sarangi and sports journalist Ajay Kumar Das were felicitated with the Award for Excellence in Coaching and Excellence in Sports Journalism respectively. Each awardee received a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh.

Odisha Police was awarded Biju Patnaik Award for Sports Promotion for the Organisational Efforts towards promotion of sports and providing jobs for sportspersons. Police DG Sunil Bansal and ADG RK Sharma received the award.

Para badminton international, Deep Ranjan Bisoyee bagged the Best Para Sportsperson of the Year Award and he was presented with a cash award of Rs 1 Lakh. Sabita Toppo, an upcoming athlete with immense potential, was conferred with the Best Upcoming Athlete Award and she received Rs 1 Lakh.

The crucial role played by technical officials was also highlighted during the event. Brigadier Bibhu Bhushan Nayak was felicitated with Rs 1 Lakh in recognition to his contribution to the sporting ecosystem. VK Pandian, Secretary to CM (5T) attended the event.

Earlier at the award ceremony, Sports Minister Tusharkanti Behera, Chairman Hockey Promotion Council Dilip Tirkey, Sports Secretary R Vineel Krishna and Sports Director Siddhartha Das felicitated a total of 388 athletes who have received 899 cash awards amounting to Rs 2,02,30,000 for their excellence in respective sports disciplines.

Chief Secretary PK Jena, DC Anu Garg, Sports administrators of various associations. eminent sports persons, sports journalists and young sports persons participated in the event.
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TOP: Woman cycling international Swasti Singh receives the Biju Patnaik Sports Award from Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in Bhubaneswar on 29 August 2023.
RIGHT: Biju Patnaik Sports Awardees with Chief Minister, Sports Minister, Chief Secretary and other dignitaries at the presentation ceremony in Bhubaneswar on 29 August 2023.