Bhubaneswar: Hockey player Sunelita Toppo has been selected for the 34th Ekalabya Puraskar 2026 in recognition of her outstanding achievements and contribution to the sport, Indian Metals & Ferro Alloys Ltd (IMFA) announced on Sunday.
Hockey player Amandeep Lakra and badminton player Tanvi Patri have been named for the citation awards for their achievements in their respective disciplines.
While Toppo will receive a cash award of Rs 7 lakh along with a trophy, Lakra and Patri will each receive Rs 1.5 lakh and a citation.
The Ekalabya Puraskar was instituted in 1993 by the Indian Metals Public Charitable Trust (IMPaCT) to recognise and encourage outstanding sporting talent from Odisha.
Over the years, the award has played a significant role in acknowledging the achievements of promising sportspersons from the state and motivating young athletes to excel at national and international levels.
Congratulating the three sportspersons, IMFA wished them success in their future sporting endeavours and expressed hope that they would continue to bring laurels to Odisha.
