Odisha woman badminton international Swetaparna Panda was selected for the 33rd Ekalabya Puraskar for the year 2025 today. The decision was reached unanimously by the Ekalabya Puraskar Committee, which comprised distinguished jury members from various sectors.

As part of the award, Swetaparna will be awarded a cash prize of Rs 7 lakhs, along with a trophy at the Ekalabya Puraskar ceremony to be held at a later date. The Cuttack shuttler, who earlier trained at the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy in Hyderabad, has won seven women doubles medals, including four gold at in BWF International Challenge Series so far with elder sister Rutaparna as partner.

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

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.

Announcing the names of the award winners, Baijayant Panda, Chairperson of Ekalabya Puraskar Committee and Trustee of IMPaCT said, “IMPaCT has been in continuous pursuit to recognize and inspire excellence in sports, besides contributing to the general welfare of the society at large.”