World Cup glory: OTV felicitates four Odia stars of India’s visually impaired women’s team

A proud moment unfolded at the OTV headquarters in Bhubaneswar on Monday as four Odia members of the Indian visually impaired women’s T20 World Cup-winning team visited the news channel’s newsroom.

The champions, Phool Soren, Basanti Hansda, Jamuna Rani Tudu, and Parbati Marandi, were accorded a warm and emotional welcome from OTV Executive Editor Radhamadhab Mishra and staff members, who felicitated them with bouquets and applause in recognition of their remarkable achievement on the global stage.

During their interaction, the players shared inspiring accounts of their World Cup journey, describing the intense competition, the thrill of defeating Nepal in the final, and the excitement of facing rival teams such as Pakistan. They expressed their pride in becoming world champions and highlighted the support and encouragement received throughout the tournament.

The Odisha government has also extended formal felicitation to the four sportswomen. Chief Minister personally met them and announced financial assistance of Rs 11 lakh each as a gesture of appreciation for bringing glory to the state and the country.

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The visit served as a celebration of their dedication and resilience and stands as an inspiration for young athletes across Odisha. Their victory reinforces the state’s growing presence in national and international sports arenas.