Odisha govt renames Biju Patnaik Sports Award to Odisha Rajya Krida Samman

Bhubaneswar, July 20: The newly formed Mohan Charan Majhi administration in Odisha has renamed the 'Biju Patnaik Sports Award' to 'Odisha Rajya Krida Samman,' according to officials on Saturday.

As outlined in a notification from the Odisha Sports and Youth Services Department, the state government will present the 'Rajya Krida Samman' annually in eight categories, contingent upon the availability of deserving candidates.

The cash prizes associated with the awards remain unchanged. The lifetime achievement award for contributions to sports will carry a cash prize of ₹3 lakh. Outstanding performance in sports will be recognized with ₹2 lakh, and excellence in coaching will be awarded ₹1 lakh.

Additionally, a cash award of ₹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 junior athlete of the year, and sports technical official/support staff of the year.

Award recipients must be residents of Odisha and free of any criminal convictions. Each category's award is granted once per lifetime and can be awarded posthumously to the recipient’s next of kin.

A five-member scrutiny committee, led by the senior-most officer of the Sports and Youth Services Department or the sports director, will be established to oversee the selection process. The awards will be presented annually on National Sports Day (August 29), as stated in the notification.

The Biju Patnaik Sports Award scheme was originally introduced by the Naveen Patnaik government in 2001-2002.