Odisha swimming international Pratyasa Ray has been selected for the 32nd Ekalabya Puraskar for the year 2024. The decision was reached unanimously by the Ekalabya Puraskar Committee, comprising jury members from various sectors, during a meeting held in Bhubaneswar today.

Ray created history earlier this month as she became the first-ever individual Senior National medallist for Odisha, bagging one gold, two silver and one bronze at the 77th Senior National Aquatic Championship in Mangalore. She also has the reputation of winning four gold and three silver medals in different international competitions.

As part of the Ekalabya Puraskar, Ray will be awarded a cash prize of Rs 7 lakhs _ an increase from the previous Rs 5 lakhs, along with a citation at the Ekalabya Puraskar award ceremony to be held at a later date.

In addition, junior international sprinter Dondapati Mrutyum Jayaram and rising badminton star Tanvi Patri will be honored with citations for their outstanding performances on both national and international stages. Each of the citation winners will receive a cash prize of Rs 1.5 lakhs, up from Rs 1 lakh, along with citations at the award ceremony.

Jayaram secured one silver and one bronze medal at the 4th South Asian Junior Athletics Championship in Chennai this month. Patri became the first Indian shuttler to win the U-15 girls singles gold medal at the Asian Junior Badminton Championship, held last month in Chengdu, China.

Instituted in the year 1993 by Indian Metal Public Charitable Trust (IMPaCT) and managed by IMFA, the leading Ferro Alloys producer in the country, Ekalabya Puraskar has come a long way to be recognized as the most prestigious sports award of Odisha, drawing parallels with many national awards.

The award is given every year to young sportspersons of Odisha in recognition of their outstanding performance in the preceding two years. Announcing the names of the award winners, Baijayant Panda, Chairperson of Ekalabya Puraskar Committee and Trustee of IMPaCT said, “IMPaCT has been in continuous pursuit to recognize and inspire excellence in sports. Ekalabya Puraskar is instituted to encourage young sportspersons of the State to excel at the national and international arenas.”

ROLL OF HONOUR:
2024 (32nd): Pratyasa Ray (Swimming). Citations: Dondapati Mrutyam Jayaram (Athletics), Tanvi Patri (Badminton)
2023 (31st): Debasis Sahoo (Tennis). Citations: Bapi Hansda (Athletics), Jyoshna Sabar (Weightlifting).
2022 (30th): Swasti Singh (Cycling). Citations: Pyari Xaxa (Football), Shilanand Lakra (Hockey).
2021 (29th): Rutaparna Panda (Badminiton). Citations: Swasti Singh (Cycling), Pyari Xaxa (Football).
2020 (28th): Namita Toppo (Hockey). Citations: Sneha Soren (Weightlifting); Rutaparna Panda (Badminton).
2019 (27th): Jhili Dalabehera (Weightlifting). Citations: Jabamani Tudu (Football), Namita Toppo (Hockey).
2018 (26th): Lilima Minz (Hockey). Citations: Jhili Dalabehera (Weightlifting), Rutaparna Panda (Badminton).
2017 (25th): Dipsan Tirkey (Hockey). Citations: Amiya Kumar Mallick (Athletics), Deep Grace Ekka (Hockey)
2016 (24th): Srabani Nanda (Athletics). Citations: Dipsan Tirkey (Hockey), Deep Grace Ekka (Hockey).
2015 (23rd): Dutee Chand (Athletics). Citations: Pramila Kirsani (Weightlifting), Saina Salonika (Chess).
2014 (22nd): Purnima Hembram (Athletics). Citations: Rasanara Parbin (Cricket), Manjula Xess (Rowing).
2013 (21st): Shriyanka Sadangi (Shooting). Citations: Dutee Chand (Athletics), Achyutananda Sahu (Weightlifting).
2012 (20th): Debasish Das (Chess). Citations: Pramila Kirsani (Weightlifting), Srabanin Nanda (Athletics).
2011 (19th): Pratima Puhana (Rowing). Citations: Pramila Prava Minz (Rowing), Sasmita Malik (Football).
2010 (18th): Kiran Manisha Mohanty (Chess); Debasish Das (Chess), Pratima Puhana (Rowing)
2009 (17th): K Ravi Kumar (Weightlifting). Citations: Kiran Manisha Mohanty (Chess), Amiya Kumar Mallick (Athletics).
2008 (26th): Padmini Rout (Chess). Citations: Srabani Nanda (Athletics), Rohit Kumar Swain (Rowing).
2007 (15th): Mamata Jena (Rowing). Citations: Kiran Manisha Mohanty (Chess) and Dandu Soren (Athletics).
2006 (14th): Pravasini Dwivedy (Rowing). Citations: Namita Samal (Athletics) and Gitanjali Jena (Athletics).
2005 (13th): Subhadra Pradhan (Hockey). Citations: Jhililata Sena (Volleyball), Sasmita Malik (Football).
2004 (12th): William Xalxo (Hockey). Citations: Monalisa Mohanty (Rowing) and Subhadra Pradhan (Hockey).
2003 (11th): Ignace Tirkey (Hockey). Citations: Sradhanjali Samantaray (Football) and Swayangsu Satyapragyan (Chess).
2002 (10th): Prabodh Tirkey (Hockey). Citations: Ignace Tirkey (Hockey) and Prasmita Mangaraj (Weightlifting).
2001 (9th): Rashmi Ranjan Parida (Cricket). Citations: Prabodh Kumar Tirkey (Hockey) and Tikina Gopal (Weightlifting).
2000 (8th): Anuradha Biswal (Athletics). Citations: Rajesh Hasdak (Archery) and Agnesia Lugun (Hockey).
1999 (7th): Lazarus Barla (Hockey). Citations: Jyoti Sunita Kullu (Hockey) and Anuradha Biswal (Athletics).
1998 (6th): Debasis Mohanty (Cricket). Citations: Lazarus Barla (Hockey) and Jyoti Sunita Kullu (Hockey).
1997 (5th): Sanjay Raul (Cricket). Citations: Jyoti Sunita Kullu (Hockey) and Sahebani Oram (Athletics).
1996 (4th): Dillip Kumar Tirkey (Hockey). Citations: Gangadhar Madhi (Archery), Sanjay Raul (Cricket).
1995 (3rd): Shiv Sundar Das (Cricket). Citations: Rajendra Guiya (Archery), Sanjay Raul (Cricket).
1994 (2nd): Gloria Dung Dung (Hockey). Citations: Sanjay Raul (Cricket), S Sujata (Karate).
1993 (1st): Rachita Panda (Athletics). Citations: Ranjib Biswal (Cricket), Anuradha Biswal (Athletics).