-watch Full Winners List
New Delhi/Patiala, 16 March (Sports Desk)
The Hockey India Annual Awards 2024, held in New Delhi on Saturday, turned into a grand celebration of the sport’s past, present, and future. Marking the centenary of Indian hockey and the golden jubilee of India’s unforgettable 1975 Men’s Hockey World Cup triumph, the evening saw Harmanpreet Singh and Savita Punia claim the spotlight as they clinched the Balbir Singh Sr. Award for Player of the Year in the men’s and women’s categories, respectively.
Harmanpreet Singh, the dynamic captain of the Indian men’s team, has been a force to reckon with. His stellar leadership guided India to a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, while his individual brilliance earned him the FIH Men’s Player of the Year 2024 title and the Player of the Tournament award at the Men’s Asian Champions Trophy in China. This victory marked his second Balbir Singh Sr. Award, cementing his status as a modern hockey icon.
Savita Punia, the former women’s team skipper, added yet another chapter to her illustrious career. Crossing the 300-international-cap milestone in 2024, she secured her third Balbir Singh Sr. Player of the Year award and doubled up with the Goalkeeper of the Year honor, showcasing her unwavering excellence between the posts.
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The ceremony carried a deep historical resonance, as Hockey India paid tribute to the legendary 1975 Men’s World Cup-winning squad with the Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award. Icons like Leslie Fernandez, Onkar Singh, Ashok Diwan, and others graced the event, evoking nostalgia and pride among attendees.
India’s recent global success was also front and center, with the men’s team celebrated for their bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Players, alternate squad members, and support staff were all recognized for their roles in this monumental achievement.
The evening wasn’t just about established stars—rising talents took their share of the limelight too. Deepika, a standout performer in 2024, bagged the Upcoming Player of the Year (Women – Under 21) award after topping the charts as the leading scorer and best player at the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy in Bihar and the Junior Women’s Asia Cup in Oman. On the men’s side, Araijeet Singh Hundal earned the Upcoming Player of the Year (Men – Under 21) title for his Player of the Tournament heroics at the Junior Men’s Asia Cup.
Milestone achievements added to the festivities, with players like Jarmanpreet Singh and Shamsher Singh (100 caps), Vivek Sagar Prasad and Sumit (150 caps), Amit Rohidas (200 caps), and Sushila Chanu (250 caps) receiving well-deserved honors. PR Sreejesh, who hung up his gloves last year, was also celebrated for clinching the FIH Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year award.
Looking to the grassroots, Hockey India spotlighted efforts to nurture the sport’s future. Eight states were commended for their contributions, with the Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu stealing the show as the Best Member Unit of the Year. Their innovative Tamil Nadu School Hockey League, engaging 306 schools across eight districts, set a benchmark for statewide talent development.
Hockey India Annual Awards 2024 – Full Winners List
- Goalkeeper of the Year: Savita Punia
- Defender of the Year: Amit Rohidas
- Midfielder of the Year: Hardik Singh
- Forward of the Year: Abhishek
- Upcoming Player of the Year (Women – Under 21): Deepika
- Upcoming Player of the Year (Men – Under 21): Araijeet Singh Hundal
- Player of the Year (Women): Savita Punia
- Player of the Year (Men): Harmanpreet Singh
- Lifetime Achievement Award: 1975 World Cup-winning team
The Hockey India Awards 2024 was more than an awards night—it was a tribute to a century of resilience, a nod to present-day triumphs, and a promise of a thriving future for Indian hockey. As the sport reflects on its storied legacy, it’s clear the next generation is ready to carry the torch forward.
