Odisha Sports Journalists’ Association honoured javelin sensation Kishore Kumar Jena and weightlifting legend Bijaya Kumar Satpathy with the 7th OSJA Annual Awards at Kalinga Stadium Tennis Centre in Bhubaneswar today.

Son of the soil Jena, who created history by winning the silver medal with a personal best of 87.54m at the Hangzhou Asian Games last year, bagged the prestigious award as the Sportsperson of the Year. Arjuna Awardee and Commonwealth Games medallist Satpathy was conferred the award for Lifetime Achievements.

Both the awards carried Rs 25,000 each along with mementoes and citations. Odisha Olympians Anuradha Biswal and K Ravi Kumar graced the awards function as chief guest and guest of honour respectively.

In the absence of the 71-year-old Satpathy, who could not join the function due to health issues, Odisha Weightlifting Association Secretary K Ravi Kumar received the award on his behalf. OSJA also felicitated Kishore Jena’s coach Samarjeet Singh Malhi on this occasion.

OSJA President Sandeep Mishra presided over the function, which was attended by sportspersons, coaches and administrators and members of OSJA. Working President K Ravi and Joint-Secretary Suresh Swain delivered the welcome address and vote of thanks respectively. On this occasion, Kishore Jena was wished all success for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

OSJA, the Odisha State unit of Sports Journalists Federation of India, has been conferring the annual awards since 2018. Past winners of the OSJA Sportsperson of the Year Award include Purnima Hembram (Athletics), Amit Rohidas (Hockey), Pramod Bhagat (Para badminton), Swayams Mishra (Chess), Birendra Lakra (Hockey) and Swasti Singh (Cycling).

Past recipients of the OSJA Lifetime Achievement Awards are: Debendra Prasad Singh (Football), Braja Bhusan Mohanty (Boxing), Panchanan Gantayat (Athletics), Arun Kumar Das (Athletics), Arupananda Routray (Basketball) and Peter Tirkey (Hockey).
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PHOTO: Odisha javelin thrower Kishore Jena receives the OSJA Sportsperson of Year Award in Bhubaneswar on 17 January 2024.