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Sports & Culture

Biju Patnaik Sports Award for Excellence in Sports Journalism

The award is given to the journalists who have done significant work in the sphere of journalism for the promotion and popularization of sports and games as well as fighting for the causes of sports and sportspersons in the State of Odisha.

Authority

State/ UT

Region

Odisha

Status

Verified 2026

Updated

March 2026

What you get

- The award shall be presented every year subject to the availability of suitable candidates, which will carry a cash award of ₹1,00,000/-. | - A statue, a scroll of honor, and a blazer with a tie shall be given along with all the Cash Awards. | - The Awardees shall be invited to receive the awards in person. They shall be given T.A. and D.A. at the rate admissible to a Grade 'A' Officer. | Note: | - Canvassing for the award in any form is prohibited. | - The award can also be given posthumously to the next of kin of the awardee. | - In case of selection of more than one person for an award, the award money will be shared amongst the awardees. | - It will not be binding on the Department of Sports & Youth Services to confer the award every year. In case of non-availability of suitable persons for the award, the award shall not be given for the respective year.

Who can apply

The applicant should be a permanent resident of the State of Odisha.; To be eligible for this award, a journalist must have done significant work in the sphere of journalism for the promotion and popularization of sports and games as well as fighting for the causes of sports and sportspersons in the State of Odisha.; The applicant should not have been convicted of any criminal offence.; The award will be conferred on a person only once in his/her lifetime, pertaining to the concerned category.; The award can be given posthumously to the next of kin of the selected awardee.; The Award may be cancelled in case it is found that it has been obtained by fraudulent means.; In such event, the concerned person shall be asked to refund the award failing which steps will be taken to recover the involved cost from him/her with simple interest @ 5% per annum.

Required Paperwork

  • Aadhaar Card
  • PAN Card
  • Income Certificate
  • Residence Proof (Domicile)

Common Questions

Is there any assurance that the award will be given every year?

The Department of Sports & Youth Services is not obligated to confer the award annually. If suitable candidates are not available for the award, it may not be given for the respective year.

Who is eligible to apply for the award?

To be eligible, the applicant should be a permanent resident of the State of Odisha or have been staying in the state for a minimum period of seven years.

What is the "Biju Patnaik Sports Award for Excellence in Sports Journalism"?

The "Biju Patnaik Sports Award for Excellence in Sports Journalism" is a prestigious category under the broader "Biju Patnaik Sports Award" Scheme. This scheme was initiated by the Sports & Youth Services Department, Government of Odisha, to honor the remarkable contributions of late Biju Patnaik, the ex-Chief Minister of Odisha, towards the development of Sports & Games in the state.

Who is eligible for the Sports Journalist category?

Sports Journalist means Sports reporter, Journalist (Mobile or desk) of a major daily Newspaper, or magazine, Accredited Journalists, Freelance reporter of Print media and/or Electronic media operating, Photo Journalist/Cameraman-Cum-Correspondent within the State of Odisha.

Are Freelance Reporters eligible for the award?

Yes, Freelance Reporters of both Print and Electronic media operating within the State of Odisha are eligible for consideration. The eligibility criteria are outlined in the resolution (Para-2 (I)) of the I & P.R. Department of the Government of Odisha.

Who falls under the category of Photo Journalist/Cameraman-Cum-Correspondent?

A cameraman representing a News Paper, News Photo Agency, T.V News Unit (as per the eligibility criteria under the above mentioned resolution (Para-2 (i) & P.R. Department)

How often is the award presented, and what is the cash award associated with it?

The award shall be presented every year subject to the availability of suitable candidates, which will carry a cash award of [?]50,000/-.

What additional recognitions and items are provided to the awardees?

In addition to the cash award, recipients of the award will receive a statue, a scroll of honour, and a blazer with a tie.

Is there any provision for travel and accommodation for the awardees?

Yes, awardees are invited to receive the awards in person. They will be provided Travel Allowance (T.A.) and Daily Allowance (D.A.) at the rate admissible to a Grade 'A' Officer.

Can the award be given posthumously?

Yes, the award can be conferred posthumously, and it will be presented to the next of kin of the awardee.

How is the award money handled if there is more than one recipient?

In cases where more than one person is selected for an award, the award money will be shared among the awardees.

What specific qualifications are required for journalists to be considered for the award?

To be eligible for this award, a journalist must have done significant work in the sphere of journalism for promotion and popularization of sports and games as well as fighting for the causes of sports and sportspersons in the State of Odisha.

Are there any legal considerations for eligibility?

Yes, to be eligible, applicants should not have been convicted of any criminal offense.

Can an individual receive the award more than once?

No, the award will be conferred on an individual only once in their lifetime within the specific category they are considered for.

How to apply for the award under this scheme?

Applicants can collect the application form from the specified offices, fill in necessary details, attach all the required documents (self-attested), and submit the form to designated authorities.