Celebrating Excellence: Highlights from the 8th Annual Hockey India Awards
A Night of Recognition for Indian Hockey
The 8th Annual Hockey India Awards took place on Friday, honoring the top performers and contributors to Indian hockey over the past year. This event brought together players, officials, and Member Units to celebrate excellence in the sport.
Dignitaries in Attendance
The ceremony featured notable figures such as Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, and Raksha Khadse, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports. Olympians including Harbinder Singh, Aslam Sher Khan, and Zafar Iqbal were also present, alongside award presenters like Jugraj Singh and Pargat Singh.
Top Awards: Player of the Year and Lifetime Achievement
Navneet Kaur and Hardik Singh were awarded the prestigious Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr. Award for Player of the Year 2025, each receiving INR 20 lakh. Zafar Iqbal, a key player in India's 1980 Olympic Gold Medal win, was honored with the Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award, receiving INR 25 lakh.
Individual and Team Recognitions
Raghu Prasad RV was named FIH Umpire of the Year for 2025, while Ishika was recognized for her debut goal against Uruguay in the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 Qualifiers. Other individual awards included INR 1 lakh for players like Deepika and Abhishek for their achievements in various tournaments.
Seven Member Units received INR 10 lakh each for their performances in the 15th Hockey India National Championships, including Hockey Jharkhand and Hockey Haryana.
Honoring Team Achievements
The Men's Hockey Team, who won gold at the Hero Asia Cup, received INR 3 lakh each, while the Junior Men's Team, who secured bronze at the FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup, received INR 5 lakh each.
Awards for Emerging Talent
Bichu Devi Kharibam was awarded the Hockey India Baljit Singh Award for Goalkeeper of the Year 2025, while Sanjay received the Defender of the Year award. Emerging players Prince Deep Singh and Sakshi Rana were recognized as Upcoming Players of the Year.
Recognition for Officials and Member Units
Sourabh Singh Rajput was honored as Umpire of the Year, while Hockey Jharkhand was named Best Member Unit of the Year for its contributions to hockey development.
Celebrating Player Milestones
Manpreet Singh was recognized for achieving 400 international caps, receiving INR 4 lakh. Other players were also honored for reaching significant milestones in their careers.
Government Leaders Praise Hockey's Growth
Mansukh Mandaviya emphasized the importance of sports in national development, while Raksha Khadse highlighted the legacy of Indian hockey and its future potential.
Winners Share Their Gratitude
Navneet Kaur expressed her gratitude for the recognition, attributing her success to her teammates. Hardik Singh echoed similar sentiments, thanking his support system for their encouragement.
Key Winners - Hockey India 8th Annual Awards 2025
1. **Goalkeeper of the Year**: Bichu Devi Kharibam - INR 5,00,000
2. **Defender of the Year**: Sanjay - INR 5,00,000
3. **Midfielder of the Year**: Sumit - INR 5,00,000
4. **Forward of the Year**: Sukhjeet Singh - INR 5,00,000
5. **Upcoming Player of the Year (Women)**: Sakshi Rana - INR 10,00,000
6. **Upcoming Player of the Year (Men)**: Prince Deep Singh - INR 10,00,000
7. **Player of the Year (Women)**: Navneet Kaur - INR 20,00,000
8. **Player of the Year (Men)**: Hardik Singh - INR 20,00,000
9. **Lifetime Achievement Award**: Zafar Iqbal - INR 25,00,000.