New Delhi, 23 March (H.S.):

Hockey India announced nominees for its 8th Annual Awards 2025 on Monday, with the ceremony set for March 27 in New Delhi to honor top performers and contributors from the 2025 season.

Key honors include the Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr Player of the Year for senior men and women standouts, plus emerging talent awards like Hockey India Jugraj Singh Upcoming Player (Men U-21) and Asunta Lakra Upcoming Player (Women U-21). Position-specific nods cover best goalkeeper (Baljit Singh Award), defender (Pargat Singh), midfielder (Ajit Pal Singh) and forward (Dhanraj Pillay), with 32 players shortlisted across eight categories.

Additional accolades feature Hockey India President Outstanding Achievement Award, Jamn Lal Sharma Valuable Contribution Award, special umpire/official honors and best member unit. The gold-winning senior men's Asia Cup Rajgir team and bronze medal junior men's FIH Hockey Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu squad will get their due, alongside top 15th Hockey India National Championship units.

President Dr Dilip Tirkey said This has been a pivotal year for Indian hockey, and recognizing last year's stellar efforts is essential. These awards celebrate players' and officials' dedication and achievements.

General Secretary Bhola Nath Singh added They acknowledge the collective push from players, coaches, officials and member units that have strengthened Indian hockey.

Nominees List:

Goalkeeper of the Year (Baljit Singh Award):

Prince Deep Singh, Krishan Bahadur Pathak, Bichu Devi Kharibam, Suraj Karkera.

Defender of the Year (Pargat Singh Award):

Sanjay, Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh, Harmanpreet Singh.

Midfielder of the Year (Ajit Pal Singh Award):

Hardik Singh, Sumit, Raj Kumar Pal, Nilakant Sharma.

Forward of the Year (Dhanraj Pillay Award):

Sukhjeet Singh, Abhishek, Navneet Kaur, Shilanand Lakra.

Upcoming Player Women U-21 (Asunta Lakra Award):

Sakshi Rana, Jyoti Singh, Sunelita Toppo, Kanika Siwach.

Upcoming Player Men U-21 (Jugraj Singh Award):

Prince Deep Singh, Manmeet Singh, Anmol Ekka, Arshdeep Singh.

Best Women's Player (Balbir Singh Sr Award):

Navneet Kaur, Salima Tete, Lalremsiami, Savita.

Best Men's Player (Balbir Singh Sr Award):

Hardik Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Sanjay, Abhishek.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar