Odisha woman hockey international Sunelita Toppo has been selected for the 34th Ekalabya Puraskar for 2026. According to media reports, the decision was unanimously taken at a meeting of the Indian Metals Public Charitable Trust (IMPaCT), chaired by Baijayant Panda in Bhubaneswar today.

Toppo will receive Rs 7 lakh and a trophy during the award function, the date of which will be announced later. In addition to the main award, hockey junior international Amandeep Lakra and junior badminton star Tanvi Patri have been selected for the citations awards of Rs 1.5 lakh each.

Instituted in 1993 by IMPaCT, the charitable wing of Indian Metals and Ferro Alloys Ltd (IMFA), the annual Ekalabya Puraskar is known as a premier youth sporting honour of Odisha.

ROLL OF HONOUR:

2026 (34th): Sunelita Toppo (Hockey). Citations: Amandeep Lakra (Hockey) and Tanvi Patri (Badminton).
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: File picture of Odisha woman hockey international Sunelita Toppo.