Bhubaneswar, March 21 (Sanatan Pani): Tokyo Olympics bronze winning Indian men’s hockey team member Birendra Lakra and former India basketball player-turned-coach Arupananda Routray were conferred with the OSJA Annual Awards today. The prestigious awards were presented at the 7th Foundation Day Function of Odisha Sports Journalists’ Association (OSJA), held at KIIMS Auditorium in KIIT Campus, Bhubaneswar.

Experienced defender Lakra, who, after announcing his retirement, was named as a core probable for India A team for this year’s Commonwealth Games, received the Award as Sportsperson of the Year. Octogenarian basketball legend Routray took the Award for Lifetime Achievements.

The Awards carried a special trophy, citation and cheque of Rs 25,000 each. KIIT and KISS Founder and Kandhamal MP, Dr Achyuta Samanta was felicitated on the occasion for his outstanding contribution for promotion of sports. In the absence of Dr Samanta, who is also the President of Volleyball Federation of India, KIIT Sports Director General, Dr Gaganendu Dash, received the honour on his behalf.

Former Odisha woman cycling international and Arjuna Awardee, Minati Mohapatra, graced the OSJA Annual Awards Function as Chief Guest. Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF) President, Sahadev Yadav, MGM Minerals Chairman and Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) President, Pankaj Lochan Mohanty and OCA Secretary, Sanjay Behera embellished the function as Guests of Honour.

Speaking on the occasion, IWLF President Yadav showered praise on Odisha Government and KIIT for making yeomen contributions for promotion of sports. He named young Odisha woman lifter Jhilli Dalabehera as a medal prospect for the 2028 Olympic Games and advised sportspersons to stay way from performance enhancing drugs.

OCA President Mohanty and Secretary Behera commended the role played by sports journalists and assured help to OSJA to carry on with its good work. Recalling how a news item related to her younger-day performance in local daily inspired her to achieve international glory, cycling legend Mohapatra said that sports scribes are playing a major role in making Odisha a powerful Sports State.

Presided over by OSJA President Sandeep Mishra and coordinated by Secretary Sambit Mohapatra, the Awards Function was attended by many eminent and sportspersons, coaches and aficionados. President Mishra spoke on the future activities of OSJA, while Senior Member Susant Mohanty reminisced the journey of OSJA thus far.

OSJA Working President K Ravi along with association members Sanatan Pani, Suresh Swain, Himanshu Pati Mishra, Debi Prasanna Mohanty, Tapan Swain, Samikhya Patnaik, Bijay Rana, Pratap Pradhan, Manoranjan Das, Ranjay Ray, Debi Prasanna Panigrahi, Manmohan Swain, Sujit Das, Mahendra Sahoo, Tushar Senapati, Dipti Ranjan Samal, Benudhar Das, Santosh Mohanty, Prafulla Kishore Sahoo, Shuvalaxmi Bal and Rashmiprava Rath were present in the function.