The Odisha Government has recommended the name of Para badminton player Pramod Bhagat’s name has been recommended by the State Government to the Union Sports Ministry for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, the country’s highest sporting honour, for the year 2021.
Earlier, the State Sports and Youth Services Department has also nominated the name of vice-captain of Indian women’s hockey team Deep Grace Ekka for the Arjuna Award for 2021.Also earlier, the State Government has recommended ace sprinter Dutee Chand’s name for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award. Besides, the State has also nominated Olympic-bound Indian hockey vice-captain Birendra Lakra for Arjuna Award, hockey coach Kalucharan Choudhury for Dronacharya Award and former Olympian printer Anuradha Biswal for Dhyan Chand Award.