Odisha Sports & Youth Services Minister, Suryabanshi Suraj felicitated four international sportspersons of the state with cash awards in Bhubaneswar today. The sportspersons were: Loma Swain (karate), Sarthak Arya (table tennis), Padmini Rout (chess) and Bidusmita Bhoi (weightlifting).

Loma Swain, honouring her with a cash award of Rs 5,00,000 for winning the bronze medal at the 25th Summer Deaflympics in Tokyo, Japan on 24 November 2025. Sarthak Arya was felicitated with Rs 2,09,000 for bagging the mixed doubles bronze medal at the 3rd Asian Youth Games in Manama, Bahrain on 28 October 2025.

IM Padmini Rout received a cash award of Rs 2,00,000 for securing the individual Board 1 Bronze medal at the FIDE World Womens Team Chess Championship 2025, held in Linares, Spain from 17 to 24 November 2025.

Bidusmita Bhoi was awarded Rs 1,33,000 for winning one gold medal with a new record at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in Ahmedabad, Gujarat on 27 August 2025.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PHOTO: Sports Minister Suryabanshi Suraj poses with international sportspersons (L-R) Loma Swain, Padmini Rout, Bidusmita Bhoi and Sarthak Arya at a felification programme in Bhubaneswar on 31 January 2026.