National Sports Day: Amit Rohidas among 3 conferred with Biju Patnaik Award for Sports

Bhubaneswar: Hockey Olympian Amit Rohidas among three sportspersons was conferred with the Biju Patnaik Award for Sports on the auspicious occasion of National Sports Day today.

The Indian hockey defender, who has earned 100 caps at the Tokyo Olympics, was presented the prestigious award for outstanding performance in sports. He received a citation and a cash award of Rs 2 lakh from Odisha Minister for Sports and Youth Services, Tusharkanti Behera.

Veteran Hockey coach of Odisha, Kalu Charan Choudhury, who has produced many national and international players and continues to train young hockey athletes, received the Biju Patnaik Sports Award for Lifetime Achievement in promotion of sports and games. He received a citation and cash award of Rs 3 lakh.

Biju Patnaik Sports Award for excellence in coaching went to Badminton Coach for para players, Shiba Prasad Das. He received cash award of Rs 1 lakh and a citation.

This apart, Trailokyanath Parida, ASI Police, Cuttack, was conferred with this year’s Biju Patnaik Bravery Award. He received a cash award of Rs 1 lakh, a silver medal and citation.

Congratulating the winners, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, in a video message said, “I extend my warm wishes to all of you on the occasion of the birth anniversary of the legendary hockey player Major Dhyan Chand, celebrated as the National Sports Day. This time we celebrate this day with all happiness, glory and splendour. The performance of the Indian Hockey Teams at the Olympics, is a true tribute to the legendary hockey player Major Dhyan Chand.”

“Hockey has a special place for sports in Odisha. I am happy that the lifetime achievement award has been given to Kalu Charan Chaudhry, hockey coach and the outstanding performance award has been given to Amit Rohidas. Congratulations to both of you. It is a tribute to Odisha’s players and coaches, who have contributed to Hockey development in the state,” the CM said.

“I would like to congratulate Shiba Prasad Das for the award for excellence in coaching. His contribution towards Pramod Bhagat is well known. We are confident that Pramod Bhagat will makes us all proud at the Tokyo Paralympics. I also congratulate Trailokyanath Parida for his act of bravery. He has set an example of selfless service.”

“Over the past few weeks, Odisha’s model of sports is hailed all over the country. The entire country loves Odisha for supporting the national hockey teams who have gone on to script history at the Tokyo Olympics. Our model of partnership and High Performance Centres has drawn national attention. It is an endorsement of our vision, investment and efforts in sports. This is an opportunity for each one us to work together with heightened commitment to take sports to greater heights. I am sure many more coaches and players will be inspired to bring glory to the state and country,” Patnaik further added.

The awards were given in the august presence Chairman, Odisha Hockey Promotion Council, Dillip Tirkey; Secretary, Executive Chairman, State Welfare Youth Board, Bijaya Nayak; and Commissioner-cum- Secretary, Sports and Youth services Department, R. Vineel Krishna. Sportspersons and officials of the Sports department were also present at the annual Award ceremony.

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