BHUBANESWAR: The newly-formed BJP government in the state has renamed the Biju Patnaik Sports Award as Odisha Rajya Krida Samman. The Sports and Youth Services Department of Odisha instituted the Biju Patnaik Sports Award in 2001-2002.
The award is presented on the occasion of National Sports Day on August 29, in four different categories - outstanding performance in sports and games, lifetime achievement in the promotion of sports and games, excellence in coaching and excellence in sports journalism.
A new category 'best contribution for the promotion of sports and games' was added in 2015. During last year's award ceremony, three more categories were included.
Under the Rajya Krida Samman, the lifetime achievement for promotion of sports and games award will carry a cash award of Rs 3 lakhs, while an athlete with outstanding performance will get Rs 2 lakh.
For excellence in coaching, best contribution to the promotion of sports, excellence in sports journalism, technical officials, para-sportsperson and upcoming player of the year, the cash award will be Rs 1 lakh each.