BHUBANESWAR: Committed to boosting the sporting culture in the country, Odisha-based Sports Science India (SSI) on Saturday hosted a gala award ceremony here at Kalinga Stadium and felicitated more than 17 international-level athletes and sportspersons.
This year, SSI Karna award was conferred on Karnataka swimmer Aneesh S Gowda, Arjuna awardee weightlifter Sathish Sivalingam, Odia cyclist Swasti Singh, racer Aditya Thakur, sprinters Sandeep Kumar and Sneha SS, Olympian gymnast Pranati Nayak and badminton sensation Anmol Kharb.
Similarly, SSI Milkha Singh Sprint Champion award was given to Odia sprinter Lalu Prasad Bhoi and Nithya Gandhe. The SSI Emerging Player award was given to Chhattisgarh sprinter Animesh Kujur and the Dilip Tirkey hockey best player award was received by Shilanad Lakra, while the SSI Paika team award was conferred on the Indian Hockey team.