On the occasion of legendary hockey player Major Dhyan Chand’s birth anniversary and National Sports Day, the Director General of Police (DGP) Shri Yogesh Bahadur Khurania felicitated 41 outstanding athletes from the Odisha Police force.
The ceremony, held at the R.K. Padhi Memorial Hall in the IPS Mess, Cuttack, celebrated the exceptional talent and achievements of police personnel in various sports disciplines.
As the chief guest, DGP Khurania lauded the athletes for their dedication and excellence, noting that their accomplishments have elevated the reputation of Odisha Police across the country. He expressed pride in their contributions and emphasized that such recognition would inspire young talents in the state to pursue sports passionately.
A special mention was made of the seven Odisha Police athletes who represented India at the World Police and Fire Games in Birmingham, USA. Their stellar performance earned 13 gold, 3 silver, and 4 bronze medals, marking a historic moment for the department.
The DGP expressed hope that more athletes from the force would continue to shine on national and international platforms, further enhancing the prestige of Odisha Police. Each of the 41 athletes was honored with a ceremonial uttariya (shawl), cash awards, and best wishes for a bright future.
The event was graced by several senior police officials including Crime Branch ADGP Binaytosh Mishra, Anti-Naxal Operations ADGP Sanjeev Panda, SFSL Director Dr. Santosh Bal, Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur, and other dignitaries. AIG (Law & Order) Prabha Shankar Nayak delivered the vote of thanks, while Sports Officer Nilamadhab Swain coordinated the ceremony.
