Pritismita Bhoi and Aahaan honored as Citation recipients
Bhubaneswar, 11 October 2025: In a significant achievement for Odisha’s sporting community, Swetaparna Panda has been awarded the esteemed 33rd Ekalabya Puraskar for 2025. The decision was reached unanimously by the Ekalabya Puraskar Committee, which comprises distinguished jury members from various sectors, during a meeting held today.
Swetaparna Panda, a rising star in Badminton, has emerged as this year’s standout recipient. As part of the award, Ms. Panda will be awarded a cash prize of Rs. 7 lakhs, along with a trophy at the Ekalabya Puraskar award ceremony to be held at a later date.
In addition, Weightlifter Pritismita Bhoi and Tennis player Aahaan will be honored with citations for their outstanding performances on both national and international stages. Each of the citation winners will receive a cash prize of Rs. 1.5 lakhs, along with citations at the award ceremony.
Ekalabya Puraskar, instituted by IMPaCT, in the year 1993 and managed by IMFA, the leading Ferro Alloys producer in the country, has come a long way to be recognized as the most prestigious sports award of Odisha, drawing parallels with many national awards. A mere look at the career graph of many of the past awardees confirms that over the years, it has been a moral booster for the best sporting talents in the State. The award is given every year to young sportspersons of Odisha in recognition of their outstanding performance in the preceding two years.
Announcing the names of the award winners, Shri Baijayant Panda, Chairperson of Ekalabya Puraskar Committee and Trustee of IMPaCT said, “IMPaCT has been in continuous pursuit to recognize and inspire excellence in sports, besides contributing to the general welfare of the society at large. Ekalabya Puraskar is instituted to encourage young sportspersons of the State to perform at the national and international arenas.”
The proceedings were organized by Mr. Aswini Prasad Mohanty, Convenor of the Ekalabya Puraskar Committee.
