TV
In a major decision, the Odisha government on Saturday renamed Biju Patnaik Sports Award’ as ‘Odisha Rajya Krida Samman’.
An official notification in this regard has also been issued by the Sports and Youth Services Department of the state government.
The award will be given to the sportspersons of Odisha who have achieved outstanding performance in any of the recognized sports during the year making the State of Odisha and India proud.
The award is also given to eminent coaches, sports journalists and sports organisations for their excellence in the field.
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The award is conferred in as many as eight categories every year since 2001 on the occasion of the birth anniversary of legendary hockey player Major Dhyan Chand celebrated across the country as National Sports Day on August 29.
As per sources, though the award has been renamed, the amount of cash prizes will remain the same.
Cyclist Swasti Singh was conferred with the prestigious award in a special function last year for her exceptional performance in the field of sports.
Hockey coach Peter Tirkey and football coach Rajendra Prasad Singh had bagged the Lifetime Achievement Awards, a testament to their unwavering dedication and guidance in shaping the future of young sportspersons.
Similarly, coach Pradeep Kumar Sarangi and sports journalist Ajay Kumar Das were felicitated with the award for excellence in coaching and sports journalism respectively.
Notably, the newly formed BJP government is renaming some schemes of the previous government.
Guidelines
Rajya Krida Rajya Krida Samman will be awarded in the following eight categories subject to availability of suitable candidates.
(i) Samman for Life-time Achievement for promotion of Sports and Games, which will carry cash award of Rs. 3,00,000.
(ii) Samman for Outstanding Performance in Sports and Games for the year, which will carry cash award of Rs. 2,00,000.
(iii) Samman for Excellence in Coaching ,which will carry cash award of Rs. 1,00,000.
(iv) Samman for Best Contribution for Promotion of sports and games, which will carry cash award of Rs. 1,00,000.
(v) Samman for excellence in Sports Journalism, which will carry cash award of Rs. 1,00,000.
(vi) Samman for Para-Sports person of the year, which will carry cash award of Rs. 1,00,000.
(vii) Samman for Upcoming Athlete of the Year (Junior Category), which will carry cash award of Rs. 1,00,000.
(viii) Samman for Sports Technical Official(s)/Support Staff of the year, which will carry cash award of Rs. 1,00,000
The recipients will be honoured with the cash award along with other deliverables as approved by the government.
