The Department of Sports & Youth Services (DSYS), Government of Odisha,  conferred the Biju Patnaik Sports Award 2024 in eight categories on the occasion of National Sports Day today. Odisha Governor Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati handed over the awards during a function held at Jayadev Bhawan in Bhubaneswar.

Chhattisgarh athlete Animesh Kujur, who trains at Bhubaneswar-based Odisha Reliance Foundation High Performance Centre and represents Odisha in National championships, was conferred with the Best Sportsperson of the Year Award. He also received a cash award of Rs 3 lakh.

The Lifetime Achievement Award, carrying a purse of Rs 4 lakh, was bestowed on weightlifting legend and Arjuna Awardee Bijay Kumar Satpathy. In the absence of Berhampur-based Satpathy, who is having health issues, his son received the award.

Chess prodigy Sattwik Swain and para-fencing international Rakhal Kumar Sethy received the award as Best Upcoming Athlete and Best Para Sportsperson of the Year respectively. The awards for Excellence in Coaching and Sports Journalism went to Sushama Nanda (volleyball) and Bimal Kumar Raul (The Prameya) respectively.

Odisha Kho-Kho Association secretary Pradyumna Mishra and medico Dr Sudeep Satpathy were honoured with the Best Contribution to Promotion of Sports and Best Technical Official/Support Staff awards respectively. Barring the lifetime achievement and best sportsperson awards, awardees in each of the rest six categories received Rs 2 lakh each.

Sports Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, Bhubaneswar Ekamra MLA Babu Singh, DSYS secretary Sachin Ramachandra Jadhav and director Dr Vijay Yeddula were present on the occasion.
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PHOTO: Recepients of Biju Patnaik Sports & Bravery Award 2024 pose with Odisha Governor, Sports Minister, Ekamra MLA, DSYS Secretary and Director in Bhubaneswar on 29 August 2025.