Para shuttler Pramod Bhagat, football legends Prafulla Kumar Mishra and Gitanjali Samantaray with OSJA vice-president Suresh Swain, secretary Sanatan Pani and treasurer Himanshu Patimishra at the World Sports Journalists Day function in Bhubaneswar on 2nd July, 2019.

Odisha Sports Journalists Association (OSJA) felicitated state football legends Prafulla Mishra and Gitanjali Samantaray on the occasion of World Sports Journalists Day today. In a function held at Hotel Presidency in Bhubaneswar, OSJA lauded the achievements and contributions of the duo in glowing terms.

Pramod Bhagat, the World No 1 para badminton star of Odisha, graced the occasion as guest and handed over bouquets and mementos to Mishra and Samantaray. OSJA vice-president Suresh Swain, secretary Sanatan Pani, treasurer and other members of the state body were present in the function, which was organised with the support of Odisha Para Badminton Association.

Former Odisha goalkeeper Mishra represented the state in the Santosh Trophy National Football Championsip for the four years. After hanging up his boots, Mishra dedicated himself to grooming young football talents in Bhubaneswar.

Under his vice-presidentship, leading football club, Unit-VI Athletic Association has organised Bhubaneswar Inter-School Football Tournament 29 times and Tata Utkalika Invitation Football Tournament 21 times so far.

Samantaray, an employee of National Aluminium Company (NALCO), pioneered football for women in Odisha and led the state women team in Women National Football Championships. She inspired lot of girls take to football and helped the sport gain popularity in the state. Taking the cudgel from Gitanjali, her younger sister Sradhanjali attained international fame, leading National women football team for many years.