Bhubaneswar, Jan 17: Hard work, discipline, sincerity and able guidance of coach can make a sportsperson successful.
Asian Games Javelin Throw Silver medallist and son of the soil Kishore Kumar Jena revealed this on Wednesday, after receiving the Odisha Sports Journalist Association (OSJA) Award 2024.
He highlighted his journey from an average performer to a medal winner at the highest level, addressing the 7th OSJA Annual Award ceremony hosted at Kalinga Stadium Tennis Centre, here.
Jena, who created history by winning the silver medal with a personal best of 87.54m at the Hangzhou Asian Games last year, bagged the prestigious award as the 'Sportsperson of the Year'.
Weightlifting legend, player-turned-coach Arjuna Awardee and Commonwealth Games medallist Bijay Kumar Satpathy was conferred the award for Lifetime Achievements. Both the awards carried Rs 25,000 each along with mementoes and citations.
Since 71-year-old Satpathy was unwell, K Ravikumar, noted weightlifter and Arjuna awardee received the award on his behalf.
Chief Guest of the occasion Olympian Anuradha Biswal in her address enumerated the struggle, passion and role of media in a sportsperson's life.
She also hoped Jena becomes the first from Odisha to win a track and field medal at the Olympics.
Jena's coach Samarjeet Singh Malhi was also felicitated by OSJA on the occasion.
Among others, OSJA president Sandeep Mishra, OSJA working president K Ravi, OSJA Joint Secretary Suresh Swain and veteran sports journalist Sanatan Pani graced the occasion.
Bhubaneswar Sports Hostel trainees, sportspersons, coaches, OSJA office bearers and Odisha Government's Sports Department officials attended the function.
OSJA, the Odisha State unit of Sports Journalists Federation of India, has been conferring the annual awards since 2018. Past winners of the OSJA Sportsperson of the Year Award include Purnima Hembram (Athletics), Amit Rohidas (Hockey), Pramod Bhagat (Para badminton), Swayams Mishra (Chess), Birendra Lakra (Hockey) and Swasti Singh (Cycling).
Past recipients of the OSJA Lifetime Achievement Awards are: Debendra Prasad Singh (Football), Braja Bhusan Mohanty (Boxing), Panchanan Gantayat (Athletics), Arun Kumar Das (Athletics), Arupananda Routray (Basketball) and Peter Tirkey (Hockey).
