Indian Hockey Stars Anmol Ekka and Sakshi Rana Nominated for Prestigious Awards
Excitement Builds for Hockey India Annual Awards
As the Hockey India Annual Awards approaches its eighth edition on March 27 in New Delhi, young hockey talents Anmol Ekka and Sakshi Rana have expressed their enthusiasm after receiving nominations for esteemed under-21 accolades. Anmol Ekka is nominated for the Hockey India Jugraj Singh Award for Upcoming Player of the Year 2025 (Men Under 21), while Sakshi Rana is in the running for the Hockey India Asunta Lakra Award for Upcoming Player of the Year 2025 (Women Under 21). These nominations recognize their exceptional performances over the past year, as highlighted in a press release from Hockey India.
Anmol Ekka's Pride in His Nomination
Anmol Ekka shared his feelings about the nomination, stating, "Being nominated for this award is an incredible honor. Many distinguished players have received this recognition before me, and I never imagined I would be among them. Seeing my name on the list was a surreal experience. I haven't informed my family yet, but I plan to share the news with them once I win."
Impressive Performance at the Junior World Cup
The 20-year-old athlete excelled at the FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup held in Tamil Nadu in 2025, netting four goals, all from penalty corners. His most significant contribution came during the bronze medal match against Argentina, where his goal secured India's victory and earned him the 'Player of the Match' title. Reflecting on the tournament, Anmol remarked, "The Junior World Cup provided me with invaluable experience and exposure, rewarding my hard work over the past few years."
Aiming for the Senior Team
Anmol views his nomination for the Hockey India Jugraj Singh Award as just the start of his journey. He is committed to daily improvement as he aspires to join the senior team. "I have areas in my game that I want to enhance, especially regarding penalty corners. Since I'm still part of the junior team, I have time to demonstrate my abilities consistently. If I succeed, I am confident I will receive a call-up to the senior squad. Once there, I will strive to perform at my best," he stated.
Sakshi Rana's Remarkable Year
Sakshi Rana has also been making headlines with her outstanding performances. The 18-year-old made her senior debut for India in February of last year and later served as Vice Captain for the junior team at the FIH Hockey Women's Junior World Cup in Santiago in December. She scored three goals during the tournament, showcasing her speed and skill. In her senior career, she has netted two goals in 12 appearances and played a crucial role in India's qualification for the FIH Hockey World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands in 2026. Reflecting on her past year, she said, "Participating in the Junior World Cup and making my senior debut were significant milestones for me, all thanks to my hard work. I will continue to push myself for the team."
Joy Over Award Nomination
Sakshi expressed her joy regarding her nomination for the Hockey India Asunta Lakra Award for Upcoming Player of the Year 2025, stating, "I was thrilled to learn about my nomination. It feels rewarding to know that my efforts are being recognized. I haven't shared this news with my family yet due to my travel commitments, but I hope to win and bring them good news soon."
Preparing for the World Cup
With the FIH Hockey World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands on the horizon, Sakshi discussed her preparation and mindset. "Our primary goal was to qualify for the World Cup, and now that we have achieved that, we will come together as a team to focus on our structure and the finer details during training. As a centre half, I am learning when to accelerate with the ball and when to control the pace. This is our current focus and mindset," she concluded.