Sunelita Toppo selected for Ekalabya Puraskar 2026
The national hockey player will receive a trophy and a cash prize of Rs 7 lakh for her sporting achievements.
National hockey player Sunelita Toppo has been selected for the 34th Ekalabya Puraskar 2026, according to The New Indian Express.
The decision was taken unanimously during a meeting of the Ekalabya Puraskar Committee in Bhubaneswar.
Toppo, a member of the Indian national women’s hockey team, won a gold medal at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
The Indian Metals Public Charitable Trust (IMPaCT) nominated her for the award, which includes a trophy and Rs 7 lakh.
Hockey player Amandeep Lakra and badminton player Tanvi Patri have also been selected for citation awards for their performances.
Each citation awardee will receive a citation and a cash prize of Rs 1.5 lakh.
The Ekalabya Puraskar was instituted in 1993 by IMPaCT and is managed by IMFA.
Chairperson of the Ekalabya Puraskar Committee and IMPaCT trustee Baijayant Panda said the award celebrates exceptional talent and aims to inspire aspiring sportspersons.