Delhi, September 1(HS):
Pradyumna Mishra, Vice President of the Kho-Kho Federation of India (KKFI) and General Secretary of the Odisha Kho-Kho Association, was felicitated with the prestigious Biju Patnaik Sports Award 2024 for his exceptional contributions to sports promotion and development. The award ceremony took place at the Jayadev Bhavan in Bhubaneswar on National Sports Day, where Odisha Governor Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati presented the honors.
The Biju Patnaik Sports Award 2024 recognized excellence across various disciplines. Alongside Mishra, India's fastest sprinter Animesh Kujur was honored for setting national records in the 100m and 200m and qualifying for the 2025 World Athletics Championships. Weightlifting legend and Arjuna Awardee Bijay Kumar Satpathy received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his extraordinary international career.
Speaking at the event, Pradyumna Mishra said, Receiving the Biju Patnaik Sports Award is a moment of immense pride and honor for me. This recognition belongs not just to me but to all players, coaches, and administrators who have tirelessly worked to elevate Kho-Kho in Odisha and across India. I dedicate this award to the young athletes whose passion and hard work continuously inspire us. With the support of KKFI and the Odisha sports fraternity, I am committed to taking Kho-Kho to new heights nationally and internationally.
With over a decade of dedicated service, Mishra has been a pivotal figure in the growth and promotion of Kho-Kho in Odisha. As General Secretary, he successfully organized national competitions, notably the 57th Senior National Kho-Kho Championship in Puri, which helped establish Odisha as a hub for traditional Indian sports. His efforts at the grassroots include training camps for youth, advanced workshops for coaches, and service on the Khelo India Talent Identification Committee (East Zone). Under his leadership, the Kho-Kho Academy and High-Performance Centre were inaugurated in Puri, and efforts are underway to establish a dedicated Kho-Kho stadium at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar.
Congratulating Mishra, KKFI President Sudhanshu Mittal remarked, This award is a proud moment not only for Odisha but for the entire Indian Kho-Kho community. Pradyumna Mishra’s relentless efforts have laid a strong sporting foundation in the state, and his leadership continues to inspire us at the national level. The Biju Patnaik Sports Award is a testament to his contributions and reflects the growing recognition of Kho-Kho as a sport of national importance.
The Biju Patnaik Sports Award is Odisha’s highest sporting honor, bestowed upon athletes, coaches, administrators, and contributors in sports. Other awardees included para-athlete Rakhal Kumar Sethi (Best Para Sports Person), chess player Satyavik Swain (Rising Junior Player), volleyball coach Sushma Nanda (Excellence in Coaching), sports journalist Bimal Kumar Raul (Excellence in Sports Journalism), and Dr. Sudip Satpathy (Best Technical Official/Support Staff). Chitranjan Pradhan and Jivan Kumar Behera received the Biju Patnaik Brewery Award.
---------------
Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
