Odisha woman badminton international Swetaparna Panda was conferred with the 33rd Ekalabya Puraskar at an award ceremony, held at hotel Mayfair Convention in Bhubaneswar today. She received a cash prize of Rs 7 lakhs, along with a trophy. The Cuttack shuttler has won seven womens doubles medals, including four gold in BWF International Challenge Series so far with elder sister Rutaparna as partner.

Besides Swetaparna, promising weightlifter Pritismita Bhoi and tennis player Aahaan were felicitated with citations for their outstanding performances on both national and international stages. Each of the citation winners received a cash prize of Rs 1.5 lakhs, along with citations at the award ceremony

Advocate General of Odisha, Pitambar Acharya, graced the award function as the chief guest and Prakash Mishra, Advisor to Odisha Chief Minister, attended as the guest of honour. Ekalabya Puraskar Committee chairman Baijayant Panda and IMPaCT trustee Paramita Panda were present along with the jury members.

Ekalabya Puraskar, instituted by IMPaCT, in the year 1993 and managed by IMFA, the leading Ferro Alloys producer in the country, is given every year to young sportspersons of Odisha in recognition of their outstanding performance in the preceding two years.

ROLL OF HONOUR:

2025 (33rd): Swetaparna Panda (Badminton). Citations: Priteesmita Bhoi (Weightlifting) and Aahan (Tennis).
2024 (32nd): Pratyasa Ray (Swimming). Citations: Dondapati Mrutyam Jayaram (Athletics) and Tanvi Patri (Badminton)
2023 (31st): Debasis Sahoo (Tennis). Citations: Bapi Hansda (Athletics) and Jyoshna Sabar (Weightlifting).
2022 (30th): Swasti Singh (Cycling). Citations: Pyari Xaxa (Football) and Shilanand Lakra (Hockey).
2021 (29th): Rutaparna Panda (Badminiton). Citations: Swasti Singh (Cycling) and Pyari Xaxa (Football).
2020 (28th): Namita Toppo (Hockey). Citations: Sneha Soren (Weightlifting) and Rutaparna Panda (Badminton).
2019 (27th): Jhili Dalabehera (Weightlifting). Citations: Jabamani Tudu (Football) and Namita Toppo (Hockey).
2018 (26th): Lilima Minz (Hockey). Citations: Jhili Dalabehera (Weightlifting) and Rutaparna Panda (Badminton).
2017 (25th): Dipsan Tirkey (Hockey). Citations: Amiya Kumar Mallick (Athletics) and Deep Grace Ekka (Hockey)
2016 (24th): Srabani Nanda (Athletics). Citations: Dipsan Tirkey (Hockey) and Deep Grace Ekka (Hockey).
2015 (23rd): Dutee Chand (Athletics). Citations: Pramila Kirsani (Weightlifting) and Saina Salonika (Chess).
2014 (22nd): Purnima Hembram (Athletics). Citations: Rasanara Parbin (Cricket) and Manjula Xess (Rowing).
2013 (21st): Shriyanka Sadangi (Shooting). Citations: Dutee Chand (Athletics) and Achyutananda Sahu (Weightlifting).
2012 (20th): Debasish Das (Chess). Citations: Pramila Kirsani (Weightlifting) and Srabanin Nanda (Athletics).
2011 (19th): Pratima Puhana (Rowing). Citations: Pramila Prava Minz (Rowing) and Sasmita Malik (Football).
2010 (18th): Kiran Manisha Mohanty (Chess); Debasish Das (Chess) and Pratima Puhana (Rowing)
2009 (17th): K Ravi Kumar (Weightlifting). Citations: Kiran Manisha Mohanty (Chess) and Amiya Kumar Mallick (Athletics).
2008 (26th): Padmini Rout (Chess). Citations: Srabani Nanda (Athletics) and Rohit Kumar Swain (Rowing).
2007 (15th): Mamata Jena (Rowing). Citations: Kiran Manisha Mohanty (Chess) and Dandu Soren (Athletics).
2006 (14th): Pravasini Dwivedy (Rowing). Citations: Namita Samal (Athletics) and Gitanjali Jena (Athletics).
2005 (13th): Subhadra Pradhan (Hockey). Citations: Jhililata Sena (Volleyball) and Sasmita Malik (Football).
2004 (12th): William Xalxo (Hockey). Citations: Monalisa Mohanty (Rowing) and Subhadra Pradhan (Hockey).
2003 (11th): Ignace Tirkey (Hockey). Citations: Sradhanjali Samantaray (Football) and Swayangsu Satyapragyan (Chess).
2002 (10th): Prabodh Tirkey (Hockey). Citations: Ignace Tirkey (Hockey) and Prasmita Mangaraj (Weightlifting).
2001 (9th): Rashmi Ranjan Parida (Cricket). Citations: Prabodh Kumar Tirkey (Hockey) and Tikina Gopal (Weightlifting).
2000 (8th): Anuradha Biswal (Athletics). Citations: Rajesh Hasdak (Archery) and Agnesia Lugun (Hockey).
1999 (7th): Lazarus Barla (Hockey). Citations: Jyoti Sunita Kullu (Hockey) and Anuradha Biswal (Athletics).
1998 (6th): Debasis Mohanty (Cricket). Citations: Lazarus Barla (Hockey) and Jyoti Sunita Kullu (Hockey).
1997 (5th): Sanjay Raul (Cricket). Citations: Jyoti Sunita Kullu (Hockey) and Sahebani Oram (Athletics).
1996 (4th): Dillip Kumar Tirkey (Hockey). Citations: Gangadhar Madhi (Archery) and Sanjay Raul (Cricket).
1995 (3rd): Shiv Sundar Das (Cricket). Citations: Rajendra Guiya (Archery) and Sanjay Raul (Cricket).
1994 (2nd): Gloria Dung Dung (Hockey). Citations: Sanjay Raul (Cricket) and S Sujata (Karate).
1993 (1st): Rachita Panda (Athletics). Citations: Ranjib Biswal (Cricket) and Anuradha Biswal (Athletics).
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PHOTO (L-R): Baijayant Panda, Aahan, Swetaparna Panda, Pitambar Acharya, Prakash Mishra, Priteesmita Bhoi and Paramita Panda pose for a photo shoot at the Elalabya Puraskar function in Bhubaneswar on 16 November 2025.