Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Wheelchair Rugby Team was celebrated in a special event organized by the Commerce & Transport Department, Government of Odisha, after clinching the 7th National Wheelchair Rugby Championship 2025 title.
The victory not only retained their national dominance but also positioned them as powerful symbols for the State’s flagship ‘Come Home Safe’ road safety campaign.
The interaction, held in Bhubaneswar, honored the team’s “unmatched passion, discipline, and teamwork.” The champions, some of whom have overcome major road accidents, were hailed for embodying courage, inclusion, and care.
Smt. Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary, Commerce & Transport Department, congratulated the team, stating, “These champions on wheels redefine strength and spirit. Their victory is not just about sport — it’s about resilience, perseverance, teamwork, and empathy. They embody the very essence of our Come Home Safe movement, reminding every citizen that safety, dignity, and care belong on every road.”
Shri Amitabh Thakur, Transport Commissioner, Odisha, emphasized that the team’s discipline and collective strength perfectly align with the Department’s mission to promote responsible behaviour, ensuring every journey ends safely.
The Department officially associated the victorious team as Brand Ambassadors of Care for the ‘Come Home Safe’ campaign. This strategic move blends sporting excellence with crucial social responsibility, giving the road safety movement a deeply human and emotional dimension.
The team, guided by Coach Shri Surendra Jena, includes players like Bikramaditiya Jena, Prasanta Nayak, Sujit Kumar Nanda, Akash Banchhor, Litan Sahoo, Sudhir Malik, Murali Benia, Madhuri Benia, Sitarani Nayak, and Goutam Singh.
Also present to underscore the spirit of collaboration and inclusivity were Shri Yedula Vijay, Director, Sports, representatives from the Department of Social Security & Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD), Shri Kamalakanta Rath, Secretary, Odisha Para Sports Association, and IIT Madras, the Knowledge Partner for the road safety initiative.
‘Come Home Safe’ is Odisha’s flagship road safety movement, led by the Commerce & Transport Department, that focuses on empathy-driven awareness and community participation to drive behavioral change. The campaign envisions a future where “every journey ends in safety, dignity, and togetherness.”
The association with the Odisha Wheelchair Rugby Team further reflects the State’s unstoppable spirit in championing both sporting glory and safer roads.