Odisha’s Wheelchair Rugby Team won the 7th National Wheelchair Rugby Championship 2025, defending their title with unmatched grit and teamwork.
The Commerce & Transport Department celebrated their victory in Bhubaneswar, where officials named them ambassadors for the state’s flagship road safety campaign, #ComeHomeSafe.
Principal Secretary Smt. Usha Padhee and Transport Commissioner Shri Amitabh Thakur praised the team’s resilience and discipline. Their journey from overcoming road accidents to becoming national champions mirrors the campaign’s message: every journey should end in safety and dignity.
The team includes Bikramaditiya Jena, Prasanta Nayak, Sujit Kumar Nanda, Akash Banchhor, Litan Sahoo, Sudhir Malik, Murali Benia, Madhuri Benia, Sitarani Nayak, and Goutam Singh. Coach Surendra Jena guided them to national success. Many players have survived serious road accidents, making their role in the campaign deeply personal.
Officials from SSEPD, Sports Directorate, and IIT Madras also attended the event. IIT Madras, the campaign’s Knowledge Partner, supports road safety efforts with research and behavioral insights.
The #ComeHomeSafe campaign promotes empathy, awareness, and community engagement. It includes initiatives like Zero Accident Day and aims to reduce road fatalities across Odisha.
By naming the wheelchair rugby team as Brand Ambassadors of Care, the campaign gains emotional depth and visibility. Their story blends sporting excellence with social responsibility, inspiring citizens to adopt safer road behavior.
