Savita Punia Honored with Padma Shri for Her Contributions to Indian Hockey
Savita Punia Receives Prestigious Padma Shri Award
File image of Indian hockey player Savita Punia receiving Padma Shri honour from president Murmu(Photo: X)
New Delhi, June 24: Hockey India has extended its congratulations to veteran goalkeeper Savita Punia for being awarded the Padma Shri, which is India's fourth-highest civilian honor, by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
In celebration of this achievement, Hockey India referred to Savita as a "true icon" of Indian sports, emphasizing that this recognition is a well-deserved acknowledgment of her significant contributions to Indian hockey over the past decade.
"A Padma Shri for a true icon. Indian women’s hockey stalwart Savita receives the Padma Shri from Hon’ble President Droupadi Murmu, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to Indian sport. A richly deserved honour for a player who has guarded India’s goalpost with distinction for over a decade, inspiring millions through her excellence, resilience and leadership," Hockey India shared on X.
Expressing her emotions regarding this prestigious award, Savita conveyed to a news agency that this honor is a source of immense pride not just for her, but also for her family and teammates who have supported her throughout her journey.
"I am feeling very good because it is a very big award in itself. When I started playing hockey, I never thought that my journey would be so long and that I would receive such a big individual honour. It is a big thing for me, my family and my team," Savita remarked.
Reflecting on the challenges she encountered during her career, she credited her family for their unwavering support during tough times.
"There were many circumstances when I thought I would have to stop playing. But because of the support of my family, I continued my hockey journey. Today my family is here with me, and everyone is very happy. Being a girl from a middle-class family, getting so much support from my parents feels very special," she added.
Savita hopes her journey will inspire young girls across the nation.
"A good example is set for everyone that if Savita can do it, then our girls can also do it. This feels very good. If you are in any field, you should have passion, dedication and patience. Today’s generation wants quick outcomes, but in sports you face many challenges and struggles. Injuries are a big part of the game. There is no shortcut to success. You have to be patient and work hard," she stated.
As one of the most accomplished goalkeepers in Indian hockey history, Savita made her senior international debut at the age of 20 and has since established herself among the world’s finest custodians. Her composure, consistency, and leadership have been pivotal in India’s ascent on the global stage.
In 2025, she became only the second Indian goalkeeper after PR Sreejesh to achieve 300 international caps, highlighting her longevity and excellence at the highest level.
Savita played a vital role in India’s historic fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympics, a campaign that significantly elevated the profile of women’s hockey in the country. She was also a key member of the teams that participated in the Rio Olympics and reached the quarter-finals of the 2018 Women’s Hockey World Cup.
As captain, Savita led India to a bronze medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and guided the team to the FIH Nations Cup title. Under her leadership, India also secured back-to-back Women’s Asian Champions Trophy titles in 2023 and 2024.
Savita received the Arjuna Award in 2018 and was named Hockey India Balbir Singh Senior Player of the Year in both 2022 and 2023. She also won the FIH Goalkeeper of the Year award for three consecutive seasons, 2020-21, 2021-22, and 2022-23, further solidifying her legacy as one of India’s greatest-ever goalkeepers.