Bhubaneswar: Sports & Youth Services Minister Tusharkanti Behera today felicitated Javelin star Kishore Kumar Jena here at the Kalinga Sports Complex for his stellar efforts at the recently concluded Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
At the Asian Games, Kishore Kumar Jena clinched the silver medal with a personal best of 87.54m, also securing his place in the upcoming Paris Olympics 2024. The only athlete to outperform him in the event was his Indian teammate Neeraj Chopra, who bagged the coveted gold.
Shri Behera lauded Shri Jena as an inspiration for his hard work and bringing international recognition to the State. “Kishore Kumar Jena’s hard work and dedication have truly shone a spotlight on sports in Odisha, making us all incredibly proud. He has made exceptional growth as an athlete in the last few years and stands as a shining example for our youth, showing them that with determination, anything is possible. I am certain he will bring many more accolades to India and Odisha including the upcoming Paris Olympics in 2024,” he said.
The Minister also took up the occasion to assure comprehensive support for Jena in aid of his preparations for the upcoming Paris Olympics. The athletes were inspired by Kishore’s words of encouragement.
Among others, Director Sports Siddhartha Das, Chairman Hockey Promotion Council Dilip Tirkey, officials of the Odisha Olympic Association, & Sports Department, coaches and athletes of DSYS Sports ecosystem attended the momentous felicitation ceremony.