The Department of Sports and Youth Services (DSYS), Government of Odisha today felicitated 72 athletes with special cash award for their successful performances at various national and international competitions and bringing laurels for the state.

A total cash award of Rs 3,85,500 was presented to athletes, across nine disciplines, at an award ceremony held today at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar. But the DSYS did disclose the names of the recepients and the amount they received.

CEO, Hockey Promotion Council Odisha, Deepankar Mohapatra was the chief guest of the ceremony. Also in attendance were Additional Secretary, DSYS, BK Swain, Joint Secretary, DSYS, Sailendra Jena and other officials of the Department.

Athletes from various sports received cash prizes, with the distribution as follows: cricket received Rs 1,10,500, sepak takraw Rs 86,000, tennisball cricket Rs 80,000, rollball Rs 30,000, table tennis Rs 26,000, kayaking Rs 25,000, fencing Rs 20,000, handball Rs 4,500 and volleyball Rs 3,500.