PPA observes 63rd Port Foundation Day; 358 competitors join Paradip Marathon
By Pravakara Sahoo
Paradip, Jan. 3: The 19th Paradip Marathon 2024 was conducted by the Gopabandhu Kreeda Sansad of Paradip Port Authority (PPA) on Wednesday on the occasion of 63rd Port Foundation Day with Chief Guest PPA chairman P.L. Haranadh flagging it off at Hanuman Temple Square.
Nilabhra Dasgupta, Dy.Chairman, PPA, Y.K.Singh, DIG, Local Coast Guard Unit were guests of honour.
The marathon covered a route of 14 km and concluded at the Gopabandhu Stadium amid great encouragement by the inhabitants of the port town and members of other Organisations. A total of 358 competitors – 299 male and 59 female, participated in the run.
Shri Ashok Dandasena, Bhubaneswar of Odisha police won the first prize in the men’s category by completing the distance in 44’ (minute) 07.4”( second), Shri Rashmi Ranjan Nayak from Bhubaneswar got the second prize with 44‘ 09.0” and Shri Babul Tudu of Jharkhand got the third prize in this category by clocking 45’23.5”.
In the women category, Ms. Susmita Tigga from Sundargarh won the first prize by completing the distance in 52’ 43.0”, Ms. Sandhya Murmu from Balasore the second prize by completing the distance in 53’05.8” and Ms. Puja Behera from Baleswar won the third prize in 56’ 45.4”
Jayanti Behera, International Para Athlete was felicitated by Shri P.L. Haranadh, Chairman, PPA on the occasion. Her coach Shri Bishnu Mishra was felicitated by Shri Nilabhra Dasgupta, Dy. Chairman, PPA.
PPA chairman Shri Haranadh, Shri Nilabhra Dasgupta, Dy.Chairman, PPA, Shri K.J.Patel, Director, IFFCO Unit, Paradip, Shri A.K. Bose, Advisor, Business Development and PPA Heads of the Departments graced the valedictory function held at the Gopabandhu Stadium.
Addressing the gathering Shri P.L.Haranadh, PPA Chairman highlighted how PPA is conducting its own marathon since 1967 resulting year to year growth in cargo traffic in a slow, steady and fast pace. In this fiscal the Port is all set to create history by becoming No.1 port among Indian Major Ports in cargo throughput. The port should continue its marathon to achieve better accomplishment in coming future. He also congratulated the employees, family members, importers, exporters, unions, PPP operators and other stakeholders for their massive contribution. Shri Haranadh lauded the participants who have come from different parts of the country to join the marathon.
Officials and technical members of the Paradip Port Sports Council led by Shri D.N. Sondhi, President, Dr. D.P. Sethi, Working President, Gopabandhu Kreeda Sansad & Shri Ranjan Rashmi Beura, Secretary and Shri Rabi Das, Advisor, Sports, GKS with the assistance of the officials from the Odisha Olympic Association conducted the marathon smoothly.
