Cuttack: In a ceremony underscored by systemic recognition of athletic merit and administrative fortitude, the Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) convened its Annual Felicitation and New Year Fest 2025–26 at the historic Barabati Stadium on December 31, 2025.
Central to the evening’s proceedings was the conferment of the Trailblazer of Sports Award upon OCA President Shri Pankaj Lochan Mohanty, a distinction that reflects a period of intensified structural reform and infrastructural expansion within the state’s cricketing ecosystem.
The synthesis of public policy and private initiative was evident in the presence of esteemed dignitaries, including Shri Prithviraj Harichandan, Minister of Law, Works & Excise, and Shri Bhartruhari Mahatab, Member of Parliament for Cuttack, who collectively bore witness to the evolving landscape of Odia sports.
Under the stewardship of Shri Mohanty, the OCA has pivoted toward a narrative of evidence-based development, prioritizing the decentralization of cricket facilities and the professionalization of talent pathways. This award serves as a socio-legal validation of his leadership, which has balanced the weight of institutional tradition with the urgent necessity for modern sporting governance.
The evening was also marked by a profound sense of historical continuity and moral urgency in preserving the legacy of the state’s pioneers. The Lifetime Achievement Award was posthumously conferred upon the legendary Dr. Harekrushna Mahatab, whose foundational contributions to the socio-political identity of Odisha remain unparalleled. In a similar vein of reverence for the divine providence that guides the region, participants invoked the blessings of Lord Jagannatha, seeking the continued prosperity of the state’s sporting endeavors.
The layered causality of Odisha’s rising prominence in the national arena was further highlighted through multiple honors. Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder of KIIT and KISS, was recognized alongside Dr. Pramod Chandra Rath and Sj. Sailendra Behera with the Trailblazer of Sports Award for their roles in fostering a holistic sports culture.
The technical backbone of the game was honored through the posthumous Cricket Guru Award granted to Shri Sumit Bose, while the future trajectory of the sport was represented by Shri Om T. Munde and Tanmayee Behera, the OCA Emerging Players of the Year.
The collective success of the Odisha U-19 Men’s Team in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy, earning them the Best Performing Team 2025-26 title, underscored the efficacy of the OCA’s current strategic framework.
As Shri Pankaj Lochan Mohanty accepted his accolade in the company of Secretary Shri Sanjay Behera and Treasurer Shri Bikash Pradhan, the event stood as a definitive synthesis of past achievement and a rigorous commitment to the future of Odisha Cricket.