CM Majhi Confers Biju Patnaik Awards, Unveils ₹4,124 Cr Sports Push

Bhubaneswar, Aug 29: Odisha marked National Sports Day 2026 with a grand celebration at Lok Seva Bhawan, paying tribute to hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, as chief guest, conferred the prestigious Biju Patnaik Sports and Adventure Awards 2025 and pledged to transform Odisha “from playground to podium.”

The state government has allocated Rs 4,124 crore to build stadiums across all 314 blocks, alongside major projects such as a world-class sports complex at Gothapatna, Bhubaneswar, and the Baji Rout Regional Sports Hub in Dhenkanal.

Odisha will also host the 2028 Asian and World Athletics Indoor Championships — a first for India.

Awards honored achievers across categories: Soumyaranjan Behera (Adventure), Pranati Mishra (Lifetime Achievement), Shakti Prakash Nanda (Sports Journalism), Loma Swain (Outstanding Performance), Gopal Krishna Dash (Best Coach), Suchitra Parida (Best Para‑athlete), Pratik Maharana and Payal Nag (Emerging Athletes), Prabodh Kumar Mohanty (Technical Official), and Samaleswari Sporting Club (Best Organisation).

CM Majhi emphasised sports as a way of life, while Sports Minister Suryabanshi Suraj highlighted discipline and devotion over skill.

Chief Secretary Anu Garg praised para‑archer Payal Nag’s inspiring gold medal win despite physical challenges, underscoring Odisha’s Fit Odisha Mission.

The celebrations echoed the theme: “Kheliba Odisha, Jitiba Odisha” — Odisha will play, Odisha will win.