Hockey Olympian Lazarus Barla, Asiad javelin medallist Kishore Kumar Jena, promising weightlifter Priteesmita Bhoi, blind cricket international Mohammed Jaffar Iqbal, hockey coach Bijay Kumar Lakra, athletics coach Rupanwita Panda and sports journalist Sukesh Ranjan Behera were conferred with the Biju Patnaik Sports Award on the occasion of National Sports Day today.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi presented the State Government awards in the field of sports at a special function, held at Lokseva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar. Lazarus Barla was honoured with the award for Lifetime Achievement in Promotion of Sports and Games along with a trophy and cash award of Rs 4 lakh.

Kishore Jena bagged the award for Outstanding Performance in Sports and Games. He received a trophy and Rs 3 lakh. Lifter Priteesmita Bhoi was conferred with the Best Upcoming Athlete (Junior) of the Year Award, which carried a trophy and Rs 2 lakh.

Jaffar Iqbal received the Best Para-Sportsperson of the Year Award, which carried a trophy and Rs 2 lakh. The Biju Patnaik Sports Award for Excellence in Coaching went to Bijya Kumar Lakra, who received a trophy and Rs 2 lakh.

Rupanwita Panda won the Best Technical Official/Support Staff of the Year Award, which accompanied a trophy and Rs 2 lakh. The Prameya Cuttack bureau head Sukesh Behera bagged the award in the category of Excellence in Sports Journalism, which carried a trophy and Rs 2 lakh.

Biju Patnaik Award for Best Contribution to Promotion of Sports and Games was given to National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO). Sridhar Patra, the CMD of the Central Public Sector Undertaking, received the award, which carried a trophy Rs 2 lakh.

Besides the sports awards, the Biju Patnaik Bravery Award was conferred on the occasion. The Bravery Award went to Rudra Prasad Mallick, who received a trophy and Rs 2 lakh.

Sports and Youth Services Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, Chief Administrative Secretary Manoj Ahuja, Sports Secretary Bhaskar Jyoti Sharma and Sports Director Sidharth Das were present in the award function.
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PHOTO: Biju Patnaik Sports & Bravery Award winners pose with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi in Bhubaneswar on 29 August 2024.