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Government of Odisha today felicitated as many as 92 athletes with a total cash award of Rs 63,75,000 for batting a total of 21 medals at the Khelo India Youth Games, which was held in four cities of Tamil Nadu from 19 to 31 January 2024.
The 21 medals featured six gold, seven silver and eight bronze. Sports Minister Tusharkanti Behera handed over the cash awards at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar. Also present at the event were Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey, State Sports Director Siddhartha Das along with other officials of the Department of Sports & Youth Services Department (DSYS).
The State Government allocated cash prizes of Rs 1,00,000 for gold medal, Rs 75,000 for silver medal and Rs 50,000 for bronze medal. In athletics, Mohammad Reyan Basha received a cash award for his gold medal in the 100m run and silver medal in the medley relay.
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Similarly, Ommkar Prasad Nanda was awarded for his two gold medals in hammer and shotput throw. Pratik Maharana, Astik Pradhan and Rajendra Sidhu, who contributed to the silver medal triumph in the medley relay, were also honored, alongside Sunita Santra, who secured bronze in the 200m steeplechase.
Odisha weightlifters, who secured six medals, including two gold, also received their cash awards. Gold medalists Jyoshna Sabar and Sadananda Bariha were honored for their exceptional performances. Additionally, Priteesmita Bhoi, Mina Santa, Hrudananda Das (silver medalist), and Deepak Kumar Pradhan (bronze medalist) were also recognized for their achievements.
The gymnasts felicitated included Tannu and Alok Kumar, who received recognition for their silver and bronze medals, respectively. In addition, Pragati Parida and Vishaka Toppo, who secured a silver medal in womens doubles in badminton, were duly awarded. Among other individual medal winners who received cash awards were Ssakshat Patra and Debasish Sahoo, each winning a bronze medal in cycling and tennis, respectively.
In team sports, Odisha clinched the coveted gold in mens hockey. Each member of the 18-member squad received Rs 1,00,000. Similarly, the womens hockey team was awarded Rs 50,000 each for their bronze medal. The 15-member womens kho-kho team received Rs 75,000 each for their silver medal, while the mens football team received Rs 50,000 each for securing bronze.
Notably, Odisha Government fielded a 138-member State contingent, who vied for honours in 12 disciplines at the Khelo India Youth Games 2023 and registered at least a medal in every discipline except swimming, judo and mallakhamb.
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TOP: Odisha medal winners of Khelo India Youth Games athletics competition pose at the State Government felicitation ceremony in Bhubaneswar on 10 February 2024.
RIGHT: Odisha medal winners of Khelo India Youth Games weightlifting competition pose at the State Government felicitation ceremony in Bhubaneswar on 10 February 2024.
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