New Delhi, 24 March (H.S.):

Indian hockey stars Hardik Singh and Navneet Kaur expressed gratitude Tuesday after earning nominations for Hockey India's 8th Annual Awards 2025 calling the recognition a testament to their hard work and renewed motivation for upcoming majors.

The ceremony set for March 27 in New Delhi will honor 2025's top performers with both players vying for the Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr Player of the Year honors alongside positional accolades.

Hardik contends for Ajit Pal Singh Midfielder of the Year after masterminding gold at the Hero Asia Cup in Rajgir Bihar.

Navneet eyes the Dhanraj Pillay Forward of the Year award plus Player of the Year honors following six goals in the Women's Asia Cup silver medal run where she also hit her 200th international cap. She added four strikes at the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 Qualifiers in Hyderabad bagging Player of the Tournament as India took silver.

Hardik called such awards validation of dedication spurring greater efforts ahead highlighting the Asia Cup triumph as a career peak forged in adversity. Navneet termed the nods a proud milestone thanking family and teammates while crediting consistent grind and experience for her growth.

Both voiced excitement for the FIH Hockey World Cup and Asian Games pledging all-out effort to elevate India on global stages.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar