Ekalavya Award 2015 to Dutee Chand, woman sprinter of Odisha

Woman sprinter of Odisha, Dutee Chand received the prestigious ‘Ekalavya Award’ for 2015. The award carries Rs 5 lakh in cash and a bronze citation.

Dutee has had a brilliant international and national track record for the past few years.

She bagged her last gold in the 100 meter women in the 35th National Games at Kerala by clocking 11.76 seconds in February. Dutee secured bronze medal in 100 women events with timing of 12.10 seconds in the 55th National Inter State Senior Athletic Championship at Chennai in the July.

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Two other promising sportspersons – chess queen Saina Salonika and weightlifter Pramila Kirsani – were also felicitated with cash award of Rs 50, 000 and a citation each.

“I am happy that I received the award today for my contribution to sport. I thank all for their immense support during my bad times and good time as well. Besides the award, I received Rs five lakh. This is certainly a big thing for me as the amount will help me to train myself in abroad. Definitely I will try my best to win accolades for Odisha,” an excited Chand said.

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The award, instituted by Indian Metals Public Charitable Trust (IMPaCT), the charitable wing of the IMFA Group, in 1993, is conferred every year on young sportspersons of Odisha.