Odisha Olympic Association (OOA) is planning to conduct a State Games, similar to the National Games, and institute annual awards to honour and felicitate achievers in sports. Discussion on the two proposed events was held during the council meeting of the apex sports body of the state at Barabati Stadium, Cuttack yesterday.
According to OAA acting-secretary Avijit Paul, as per the suggestion of OOA president Samir Mohanty, a dedicated in-house committee will be formed to work out the planning, budget, and finalisation of disciplines for the staging of the State Games. The details of the plan will be presented to the State Government. Venues such as Barabati Stadium and Kalinga Stadium were proposed in the council meeting.
Regarding the Annual Awards Ceremony, secretary Paul proposed that the awards should be instituted in the name of eminent personalities who played a significant role in establishing Barabati Stadium and shaping the sporting landscape of Odisha. A total of nine awards were proposed in the council meeting. It was decided that the awards will be conferred every year during the Annual General Meeting of OOA.
ANNUAL AWARDS:
Dr Harekrushna Mahtab Sportsman of the Year: Rs 50,000/-
Bhairab Chandra Mahanti Cricketer of the Year: Rs 25,000/-
Golakh Chandra Samal Footballer of the Year: Rs 25,000/-
Asirbad Behera Athlete of the Year: Rs 25,000/-
Michael Kindo Hockey Player of the Year: Rs 25,000/-
Samir Dey Sports Journalist of the Year: Rs 25,000/-
Nanda Kishore Das Coach of the Year: Rs 25,000/-
Basanta Kumar Biswal State Sports Association of the Year: Rs 25,000/-
Bibhuti Bhusan Das District Athletics Association of the Year: Rs 25,000/-
It was decided that a committee, which is to be reconstituted every year, comprising one vice-president of OOA, one general secretary from the State/District Associations, two sports journalists, and one international sportsperson, will oversee the awards.
As per the decision of the council meeting OOA vice-president Binod Dash will head the five-member Awards Committee Members for the year 2026. Siba Prasad Tripathy, sports journalists Sanatana Pani, Susanta Mohanty and woman Olympian Anuradha Biswal were chosen as the members of the committee.
OOA vice-presidents Kamala Kanta Pandey, Binod Dash, and Nalini Kumar Das; joint-secretaries Harinarayan Pujari and J Kameswar Rao, and treasurer Rabi Sankar Pratihari, Odisha Athletics Association president Dr G Srinibas Pattnaik along with all the council members were present in the meeting.
During the meeting president Mohanty informed the Council that an Athlete Commission, featuring Olympians, will be constituted by the OOA. Representatives of the Commission will attend the Annual General Meeting of OOA. It was decided that the 14-15 Olympians, associated with the OOA, will hold their own meeting to elect four representatives to the OOA (two men and two women). Once the constitution is suitably amended, it will be circulated to all members for their recommendations and suggestions before final approval.