Hockey India announces nominations for 7th annual awards
Hockey India on Monday officially announced the nominees for the 7th edition of the prestigious Hockey India Annual Awards, 2024, scheduled to take place on March 15 in New Delhi. With a record prize pool of approximately Rs 12 crore, this year’s ceremony is set to be the biggest yet.
A total of 32 nominees across eight categories have made it to the final shortlist. These nominees will be recognised and celebrated during the ceremony. One of the key highlights is the coveted Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr Award for Player of the Year. Individual excellence across various positions will also be recognised.
This year’s awards will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Indian Men’s Hockey Team’s historic World Cup victory on the same date in 1975 — their first and only title to date. Adding to the significance, 2025 marks 100 years of Indian hockey, as India became affiliated with the International Hockey Federation (FIH) on November 7, 1925.
India’s Olympic bronze medal-winning team will be felicitated, along with the teams that won the Asian Champions Trophy in 2024. The Junior Asia Cup-winning teams will also be honoured.
Hockey India president Dr Dilip Kumar Tirkey remarked, “The Hockey India 7th Annual Awards 2024 is a celebration of extraordinary talent. These nominations reflect the resilience and determination of our players, who continue to raise the bar for the sport.”
The nominees are:
Hockey India Baljit Singh Award for Goalkeeper of the Year — Bichu Devi Kharibam, Krishan Bahadur Pathak, PR Sreejesh, Savita.
Hockey India Pargat Singh Award for Defender of the Year — Sanjay, Amit Rohidas, Harmanpreet Singh, Udita.
Hockey India Ajit Pal Singh Award for Midfielder of the Year — Jarmanpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, Nilakanta Sharma, Sumit.
Hockey India Dhanraj Pillay Award for Forward of the Year — Lalremsiami, Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Navneet Kaur.
Hockey India Asunta Lakra Award for Upcoming Player of the Year (women U-21) Beauty Dungdung, Deepika, Vaishnavi Vithal Phalke, Sunelita Toppo.
Hockey India Jugraj Singh Award for Upcoming Player of the Year (men – U-21), Arshdeep Singh, Amir Ali, Shardanand Tiwari, Araijeet Singh Hundal.
Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr Award for Player of the Year (women) — Savita Punia, Salima Tete, Sangita Kumari, Navneet Kaur.
Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr Award for Player of the Year (men) — Abhishek, Hardik Singh, Harmanpreet Singh, Sukhjeet Singh.
