Dreams Cut Short: Two Odisha Athletes Lose Lives in Nakhara Road Mishap
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha sporting fraternity has been plunged into mourning following the tragic death of two promising track athletes, Mrutyam Jayaram Dondapati and Malaya Barik, in a late-night road accident near Nakhara on the Cuttack-Bhubaneswar National Highway.
According to reports, the accident occurred around 10:30 PM.
Both athletes sustained critical injuries and were rushed to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, where doctors declared them dead.
The deceased athletes were training at the Kalinga Stadium High-Performance Centre in Bhubaneswar and were regarded among Odisha’s most promising talents.
Mrutyam Jayaram Dondapati had earned recognition as one of India’s fastest Under-23 sprinters, while Malaya Barik was emerging as a talented 400-metre runner.
The tragic incident has sent shockwaves across the athletics community, with coaches, fellow athletes, sports officials and fans expressing grief over the untimely loss of two young sportspersons whose careers showed immense promise.
Expressing deep sorrow, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi described the deaths as a huge loss for the state’s sporting fraternity and extended condolences to the bereaved families.
The deaths of the two athletes have left Odisha athletics reeling, underscoring the profound loss of young talent that had the potential to bring greater laurels to the state and the nation.
