Bhubaneswar: The javelin sensation of Odisha and the Asian Games silver medallist Kishore Kumar Jena received the Sportslogon player of the year Sports award 2024 here at Kalinga Stadium on Sunday. In absence of Jena his father Keshab Jena received the trophy and a cash award of Rs 25,000.
Among the top achievements the 29-year-old Kishore had figured among the top five in the World Athletics Championship at Budapest.
In other categories, para-athlete Suchitra Parida and football coach Shuvendu Panda received emerging player and coach of year awards respectively. Suchitra set a new national record in the Javelin throw event in the year 2024, while under the guidance of coach Shuvendu Panda the Indian national U-15, U-17 and U-19 teams brought many laurels for the country. However the national U-19 team emerged SAFF champion by defeating Pakistan and also the U-15 team bagged bronze medal in SAFF championship. He is the only Odisha coach having AFC-A license. Suchitra and Shuvendu received the trophy along with a cash award of Rs 25,000 each.
The young swimming star of the State Mannata Mishra got the Kumudini Krida Prativa Purakar, she received a cash award of Rs 15,000.
Former volleyball player Dukhishyama Mallik received Player of the Bygone Era award, on behalf of him, daughter Asha Mallik received the trophy and a cash award of Rs 25,000.
IPS Sanjeeb Panda, Social worker Kumudini Mishra, SNM group Managing Director Prabodh Mohanty, Former Odisha Ranji team coach Lalatendu Bidyadhar Mohapatra, Angul Sukinda Railway Ltd CMD Dilip Samantray and New Indian Express Residential Editor Siba Mohanty were grace the award ceremony as guest.
