Punjab Government Honors Hockey Players with Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award

The Punjab government recently honored 14 Indian hockey players, including captain Harmanpreet Singh, with the prestigious Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award. This recognition celebrates their contributions to the sport and aims to inspire young athletes. Harmanpreet expressed pride in receiving the award and shared his joy about meeting cricket legend Virat Kohli, emphasizing the shared dedication among elite athletes. The event took place in Chandigarh, showcasing the achievements of these talented players.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 24, 2026, 18:51 IST

Punjab Government Recognizes Hockey Talent

On Saturday, the Punjab government awarded the prestigious Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award to 14 distinguished Indian hockey players, acknowledging their significant contributions to the sport. Leading the list of honorees was Harmanpreet Singh, alongside fellow players Hardik Singh, Mandeep Singh, and Jarmanpreet Singh.

As per a post by Hockey India on social media, the event also celebrated other notable players including Shamsher Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Varun Kumar, Krishan Pathak, Rupinder Pal Singh, Gurjant Singh, Akashdeep Singh, Simranjeet Singh, Ramandeep Singh, and Gurinder Singh. The Chief Minister of Punjab, Bhagwant Mann, presented the awards during a grand ceremony held in Chandigarh, where Harmanpreet Singh and his teammates proudly accepted their accolades.

Harmanpreet Singh: A Source of Inspiration

In response to receiving the award, captain Harmanpreet Singh expressed that this recognition would inspire young athletes. He remarked, "It is a matter of pride for me to receive this state award. This will motivate all the youngsters..."

Harmanpreet Reflects on Meeting Virat Kohli

Earlier in March, Harmanpreet Singh shared his experience of meeting cricket icon Virat Kohli. He expressed joy at being honored at the Hockey India 8th Annual Awards 2025 for achieving 250 international caps. On his Instagram, he posted a photo with Kohli, highlighting the cricketer's dedication and work ethic, and noted the shared commitment to excellence among elite athletes.

After receiving the award for his 250 caps, Harmanpreet conveyed his happiness about meeting Kohli, describing him as humble and enjoying their conversation in Punjabi. He stated, "I am very happy to complete 250 caps. It is a great achievement for me. I am very happy that I got this award."