Salima, Hardik headline Player of the Year nominees as Hockey India reveals Annual Awards shortlist

New Delhi: Hockey India on Monday announced the nominees for its Annual Awards 2025, with the ceremony set to take place on March 27. The awards aim to recognise outstanding performances and significant contributions to Indian hockey over the past year.

Among the most prestigious honours is the Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr. Award for Player of the Year, given to the top male and female players. The event will also spotlight rising stars through the Jugraj Singh Award for Upcoming Player of the Year (Men – Under-21) and the Asunta Lakra Award for Upcoming Player of the Year (Women – Under-21).

Position-wise excellence will also be acknowledged, with awards for Goalkeeper, Defender, Midfielder, and Forward of the Year. In total, 32 players have been shortlisted across eight categories.

Apart from player awards, the ceremony will include special recognitions such as the President Award for Outstanding Achievement and the Jaman Lal Sharma Award for Invaluable Contribution. Officials and support staff will also be honoured in categories like Umpire/Umpire Manager of the Year, Technical Official of the Year, and Best Member Unit.

The event will further celebrate team achievements, including the Indian men’s team’s gold medal victory at the Asia Cup 2025 in Rajgir, Bihar, and the junior men’s team’s bronze medal finish at the FIH Junior World Cup in Tamil Nadu. Member Units will also be recognised for their performances in the 15th Hockey India National Championships.

Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey said the awards come at an important time for the sport, highlighting the need to acknowledge players and officials who have raised the standard of Indian hockey. Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh added that the awards reflect the collective effort of players, coaches, officials, and member units in strengthening the hockey ecosystem in the country.

**Key nominees across categories:**

* **Goalkeeper of the Year:** Prince Deep Singh, Krishan Bahadur Pathak, Bichu Devi Kharibam, Suraj Karkera
* **Defender of the Year:** Sanjay, Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh, Harmanpreet Singh
* **Midfielder of the Year:** Hardik Singh, Sumit, Raj Kumar Pal, Nilakanta Sharma
* **Forward of the Year:** Sukhjeet Singh, Abhishek, Navneet Kaur, Shilanand Lakra
* **Upcoming Player (Women U-21):** Sakshi Rana, Jyoti Singh, Sunelita Toppo, Kanika Siwach
* **Upcoming Player (Men U-21):** Prince Deep Singh, Manmeet Singh, Anmol Ekka, Arshdeep Singh
* **Player of the Year (Women):** Navneet Kaur, Salima Tete, Lalremsiami, Savita
* **Player of the Year (Men):** Hardik Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Sanjay, Abhishek

The awards night is expected to bring together the Indian hockey fraternity to celebrate a year of achievements and progress.

With inputs from IANS