Ashok Mohanty bids adieu to government job

Ashok Kumar Mohanty, a resourceful man of Orissa sports, today retired from Government service as the Assistant Director of Sports. He was given a warm farewell in a function at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. Sports Minister Praveen Chandra Bhanjadeo handed over pension papers to the outgoing officer, who rendered valuable service to the cause of sports in the state during his 33-year-long stint as a government official. A fine all-rounder, Mohanty played hockey, football, table tennis and basketball during his school, college and university days. In hockey, he represented Utkal University for four years (1969 to 1972). He is one of the few hockey players of Orissa to have received tips from Dhyan Chand, the greatest legend of the game, during a coaching camp at Satyabrata Stadium in Cuttack in 1970. After completing his graduation from BJB College and post-graduation in political science from Utkal University, Mohanty joined the sports wing of the then State Culture, Tourism and IPR Department in 1976. He served as District Sports Organiser of Phulbani for four years (1976 to 1980), that of Kalahandi for seven years (1980 to 1987) and of Puri for four years (1987 to 1991). Recognising his efficiency, knowledge and friendly attitude, Sports Department brought him to the headquarter Bhubaneswar, where he did duty as the in-charge of Kalinga Stadium for about a decade (1991 to 2001). Assuming another important responsibility, he served around seven years as Assistant Director (Sports) from 2001 to 2005 and again from 2007 till retirement. In between he was posted at Cuttck as Senior District Sports Officer from 2005 to 2007. During his professional career, he played instrumental role in the introduction several new government schemes such as Biju Patnaik State Sports Awards, allotment of housing plots to leading international sportspersons and financial assistance to sportspersons for participation in international competitions. Known to friends and relatives as `Dulu’, Mohanty also helped the Sports Department promote archery in KBK district and lay synthetic athletic track at Kalinga Stadium and hockey turf at Panposh Sports Hostel, Rourkela. Compiling, writing, editing and publishing of newsletters, souvenirs and booklets for State Sports Department were other important jobs where Mohanty’s contribution stood out. At one point of time, state sports fraternity considered him as the right person to become the Sports Director. But instead of giving him a chance, the government chose mostly undeserving, unwilling and inexperienced officers or simply kept the post vacant. A humble man, Mohanty never expressed his desire for the post. But speaking from the core of his heart today, he said: ``Sportspersons and coaches have not been given their due in Orissa.’’ Appreciating Mohanty’s contribution at the felicitation function, Principal Secretary of State Sports and Youth Services Department, Suresh Chandra Patnaik announced that even after retirement his experience and efficiency would be utilised in various sports activities of the government. The words of the bureaucrat only confirmed the fact that Mohanty’s worth as a sports personality would remain the same even after his retirement from government job. Photo caption:Outgoing Assistant Sports Director Ashok Mohanty (right) receives his pension papers from Sports Minister PC Bhanjadeo (left) in Bhubaneswar on May 30, 2009.

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