Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Sept 2: Emerging woman cricketer Sushree Divyadarshini Pradhan and veteran umpire Asit Kumar Patnaik of the state have been selected Wednesday, to bag the prestigious Saroj Mahasuara Award for the year 2015-16. A selection committee lead by Samir Mohanty decided the name of the two awardees.
The award will be conferred by Saroj Mahasuar Memorial Committee on the 13th death anniversary of Saroj Mahasuara at the Town Club Ground.
Sushree has represented India-A against strong opponents like New Zealand, Sri Lanka and South Africa since last one year. She has also been called by National Cricket Academy in Bangalore for a special training session. She has been playing in the Women’s Challenger Trophy since last three years.
She played a great role in the last All India Women’s cricket tournament to help Orissa finish runners-up. Eighteen years Sushree has also represented the East Zone in various T-20 tournaments.
“Considering Sushree’s overall achievements, she has been chosen for this prestigious award,” stated selection committee chief Samir.
Veteran Umpire Asit has established himself as an eminent umpire of the state since last 10 years. Previously he was a cricketer and he has represented Koraput and Klalahandi in different tournaments of the state. After retiring from cricket he tried his hands with umpiring and carved a niche in this field within a very short period of time.
He cleared the OCA Panel and BCCI Level-I Umpiring examination in 2005 and since then has never looked back. He is a senior umpire in OCA panel and has conducted many OCA matches successfully.
“We are very happy to honour a great personality like Asit,” added Samir.