Odisha Sports Journalists’ Association (OSJA) today appealed Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to issue orders for restoration of the `Biju Pattanaik Award for Outstanding Sports Journalists’ for the benefit of sports journalists of the state.

In a letter, submitted in the office of the Chief Minister, OSJA sought amendment to the Government Resolution (Sports and Youth Services Department resolution No. 10586 Dtd. 15/12/2015) that changed the nomenclature of the `Sports Jjournalists Award’ to `Biju Pattanik Sports Awards for Best Contribution to Promotion of Sports and Games’.

According to the letter, in a historic decision the State Government had instituted Biju Patnaik Sports Award, the state’s highest one in the field of sports and games in the year 2002. The award tood in good stead, providing great deal of encouragement to sportspersons, coaches and sports journalists of the state.

While things were moving in right direction, a sudden change in the nomenclature of the scheme has created a great deal of dissatisfaction and consternation among the sports journalists of the state. Hitherto exclusively meant for sports journalist, the award has now been totally diluted (Page 3, Para-V) by inclusion of other categories like sports administrators, sports lovers, administrators, lovers, philanthropist and sports recruitment authority as eligible candidates.

“The entire world’s sports fraternity acknowledges the immense contribution the journalists make for promotion of sports and games. Sports journalists are of a special genre and it is incomprehensible to place them in the realm of generalised profession or pastime such as sports lovers, administrators, lovers, philanthropist and sports recruitment ruthority,’’ said the OSJA letter.

“We would welcome the decision of the Government to recognise the good work done by sports administrators, support staffs, sports recruitment authority but our humble submission is that, Government may introduce separate category of awards for them instead of tying them up with sports
Journalists,’’ added the letter.