Odisha felicitates its 100 sports persons from 36 National Games

Bhubaneswar: For the outstanding performances in the 36th National Games 2022, Gujarat, the Odisha government felicitated nearly 100 sports persons with special cash awards on Tuesday. It presented them with cash awards to the tune of Rs 3.16 crore, IANS reported.

In the function held in the Kalinga Stadium, states sports minister Tusharkanti Behera, Chairman Odisha Hockey Promotion Council Dilip Tirkey, and Sports Secretary R. Vineel Krishna presented the awardees.

The winners of team and individual sports at the Games have presented with Rs 5 lakh for the Gold medal, Rs 3 lakh for the Silver and Rs 2 lakh for the Bronze medal. Two athletes, namely Dinesh Kumar (3 Golds in cycling) and Muna Nayak (1 Silver in weightlifting), were also felicitated.

Odisha Women's Rugby team won the Gold medal and was felicitated with Rs 60 lakh as a total team cash prize. Similarly, Kho Kho Women's team were awarded Rs 45 lakh total cash prize for winning Silver. Maximum medals have been won by Kayaking & Canoeing and Rowing Athletes.

Congratulating the awardees, sports minister Behera said, "It gives me immense delight and pride to felicitate our young winners. Their hard work and dedication are paying off. They have given their best at the National Games and brought glory for their state."

"I am confident, from here on, each one of them will surge ahead in the field of sports. We will continue to support them in their journey throughout," he said.

Meanwhile, Diip Tirkey interacted with the winners and encouraged them to stay focused on their game to achieve greater success in the coming years.

The awardees expressed their deepest gratitude to the Odisha government for supporting them and acknowledging their achievements.