Bhubaneswar: Recognising outstanding sporting talent in Odisha, talented Hockey player Sunelita Toppo has been selected for the prestigious 34th Ekalabya Puraskar for 2026.
The decision was unanimously taken by the Ekalabya Puraskar Committee, comprising distinguished jury members from various fields, at a meeting held in Bhubaneswar.
Sunelita, an emerging talent in Hockey, has earned this recognition for exceptional performances and achievements in the sport. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 7 lakh, along with a trophy, which will be presented at the Ekalabya Puraskar award ceremony to be held at a later date.
Additionally, Hockey player Amandeep Lakra and Badminton player Tanvi Patri have been selected for citation awards in recognition of their outstanding performances at the national and international levels. Each citation awardee will receive a cash prize of Rs 1.5 lakh, along with a citation, at the ceremony.
Announcing the awardees, Chairperson of the Ekalabya Puraskar Committee and Trustee of IMPaCT, Baijayant Panda said, “Odisha has immense sporting potential, and it is important that young athletes receive the recognition and encouragement they deserve. For over three decades, the Ekalabya Puraskar has celebrated exceptional talent and inspired aspiring sportspersons to aim higher. Through this initiative, we remain committed to acknowledging their achievements and encouraging the next generation to bring greater sporting glory to the State.”
Comments are closed.