SSI SportsNational AwardsSSI SPORTS NATIONAL AWARDS · 2023
Join us as we honor the extraordinary champions, trailblazers, and institutions who have redefined Indian sports with their passion, perseverance, and performance.
Celebrating Excellence in Indian Sports
Sprint Queen of India
Srabani Nanda, born on May 7, 1991, in Phulbani, Odisha, is one of India's leading sprinters, specializing in the 100m, 200m, and 4×100m relay events.
She represented India at the 2016 Rio Olympics in the 200m, where she clocked her personal best of 23.07 seconds. In 2025, she added to her accolades by winning a silver medal in the 4×100m relay at the Asian Athletics Championships in South Korea.
Rourkela's Cycling Star
Swasti Singh, a 23-year-old cyclist from Rourkela, Odisha, is one of India's most promising talents in both road and track cycling.
A national champion and Ekalabya Puraskar awardee, she has earned over 50 medals across various competitions. Swasti gained national attention by setting a new meet record in the 3 km individual pursuit at the 38th National Games in 2025.
India's Sprint Sensation
Manikanta Hoblidhar, a 21-year-old sprinter representing the Services team, has taken Indian athletics by storm.
At the 2023 National Open Athletics Championships, he smashed the national 100m record by clocking an impressive 10.23s in the semifinals, breaking a seven-year-old mark. He went on to win the final in 10.42s.
Celebrating Excellence in Indian Sports
SSI Best Coach Awardee
Ram Bahadur Subba, a dedicated coach from Sikkim, has been recognized for his outstanding contribution to grassroots sports development with the prestigious SSI Best Coach Award.
Working under the District Youth Services & Sports Department, Subba has played a crucial role in nurturing young athletes, emphasizing sports science, training, and rehabilitation.
SSI Sports Development Awardee
Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) was honored with the SSI Sports Development Award at the Sports Science India Conclave held at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar, in December 2023.
This recognition celebrates OMC's significant contributions to sports development in Odisha through its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
Transforming Grassroots Football
Ardor Football Academy (AFA), established in 2012, is a leading grassroots football institution based in Bhubaneswar and Delhi.
Focused on the motto "Football for All", the academy provides free training to over 300 underprivileged children across multiple community centers, including slums and government schools in Odisha.
Celebrating Excellence in Indian Sports
National Pioneers
The Odisha women's football team is one of the leading state teams in India, known for its strong presence in national tournaments like the Senior Women's National Football Championship and the Indian Women's League.
Managed by the Football Association of Odisha and based at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, the team has a history of producing talented players and achieving significant success.
Legendary Goalkeeper
Brahmanand Sankhwalkar, born on March 6, 1954, in Taleigao, Goa, is one of India's most iconic footballers and a legendary goalkeeper.
He made his international debut in 1976 and captained the Indian national team from 1983 to 1986. At the club level, he spent 17 successful seasons with Salgaocar FC, leading them to several titles.
Indian Hockey Icon
Dilip Tirkey, born on November 25, 1977, in Sundargarh, Odisha, is a legendary Indian field hockey player and the current President of Hockey India.
Renowned for his rock-solid defense and often called "The Wall", he holds the record for the most international appearances by an Indian with 412 caps. A three-time Olympian, he captained India at major tournaments.
At the SSI Sports National Awards 2023, we celebrate the heroes behind the headlines — the athletes, coaches, and institutions who inspire us to dream bigger, run faster, and aim higher.
© 2023 SSI Sports National Awards. All rights reserved.
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