Hockey Olympian Amit Rohidas among three sportspersons was conferred with the Biju Patnaik Award for Sports on the National Sports Day here on Sunday.
The Indian hockey defender, who has earned 100 caps at the Tokyo Olympics, received a citation and a cash award of Rs 2 lakh from 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 Award for Lifetime Achievement in promotion of sports and games.
He received a citation and cash award of Rs 3 lakh. The Biju Patnaik Sports Award for excellence in coaching went to Badminton coach for para players, Shiba Prasad Das, who received a cash award of Rs 1 lakh and a citation. Trailokyanath Parida, ASI of Police, Cuttack, was conferred with the year’s Biju Patnaik Bravery Award.He received a cash award of Rs 1 lakh, a silver medal and citation. Congratulating winners, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said, “This time we celebrate the National Sports Day with all happiness, glory and splendour.
The performance of Indian Hockey Teams at Olympics is a true tribute to legendary hockey player Major Dhyan Chand,” adding, “Hockey has a special place for sports in Odisha.” “Over past few weeks, Odisha’s model of sports is hailed all over country. The entire country loves Odisha for supporting national hockey teams who have gone on to script history at 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,” Patnaik further added.