Odisha Government Renames Prestigious Sports Awards

The recently elected BJP government in Odisha has renamed the Biju Patnaik Sports Award to ‘Odisha Rajya Krida Samman’. The award recognizes excellence in various sports categories and maintains its cash rewards. It also includes a stringent selection process with a scrutiny committee and will be announced on National Sports Day annually.

The newly elected BJP government has renamed the Biju Patnaik Sports Award to ‘Odisha Rajya Krida Samman’.

The Odisha Sports and Youth Services Department on Friday issued guidelines for the ‘Rajya Krida Samman’, to be awarded annually in eight categories, subject to the selection of suitable candidates. The cash rewards remain unchanged.

As per the guidelines, a lifetime achievement award will carry a cash prize of Rs 3 lakh, outstanding performance will be rewarded with Rs 2 lakh, and excellence in coaching will earn Rs 1 lakh.

Additionally, a cash award of Rs 1 lakh will be given in each of the following categories: best contribution to sports promotion, excellence in sports journalism, para-sports person of the year, upcoming athlete of the year (junior category), and sports technical official/support staff of the year.

The recipient must be an Odisha resident with no criminal convictions. The award can be conferred once per lifetime per category and may be awarded posthumously to the next of kin.

The Sports and Youth Services Department secretary will form a five-member scrutiny committee of senior officials and coaches with the sports director or senior-most department officer heading the panel.

The awards will be presented in a special ceremony on National Sports Day (August 29) every year.

The BJP government also plans to rename several popular schemes from the previous BJD administration, including the LAaccMI rural bus service, Mo Bus city service, and Aahaar meal scheme.