Hockey India Awards: Navneet Kaur and Hardik Singh Named Players of Year

Indian hockey celebrated its finest talents on Friday as Hockey India held its 8th Annual Awards ceremony, recognising outstanding performances from players, officials, and member units. International stars Navneet Kaur and Hardik Singh were named Players of the Year in the women’s and men’s categories, respectively, while former India captain Zafar Iqbal received the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award.

The event was attended by senior dignitaries including Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of Labour and Employment, and Raksha Khadse, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports. Several former Olympians, including Harbinder Singh, Aslam Sher Khan, Vineet Kumar, Jagbir Singh, Mir Ranjan Negi, Pritam Rani Siwach, and Mamta Kharb, were present to honour the nation’s hockey luminaries. Award presenters included Jugraj Singh, Asunta Lakra, Baljit Singh, Pargat Singh, Ajit Pal Singh, and Saroj Sharma.

Navneet Kaur and Hardik Singh received the Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr. Award for Player of the Year 2025, along with cash prizes of INR 20 lakh each. Zafar Iqbal, a key member of India’s 1980 Moscow Olympic gold medal-winning team, was presented with the Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award, carrying a prize of INR 25 lakh. Speaking at the ceremony, Iqbal expressed gratitude for the recognition, highlighting the ongoing efforts of Hockey India to promote the sport.

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In addition to the top awards, numerous individual and team achievements were recognised. Bichu Devi Kharibam was named Goalkeeper of the Year, Sanjay received the Defender of the Year award, Sumit was recognised as Midfielder of the Year, and Sukhjeet Singh received the Forward of the Year honour. Emerging players Sakshi Rana and Prince Deep Singh were named Upcoming Players of the Year for women and men, respectively. Several officials and member units, including Hockey Jharkhand, were also awarded for their contributions to the sport.

Players achieving career milestones were recognised with cash awards for international caps, including Manpreet Singh for 400 matches and Navneet Kaur for 200 matches. Both the Indian men’s and women’s hockey teams received performance-based incentives for international wins. Additional awards recognised contributions to coaching, technical support, and overall development of hockey in India.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Mandaviya and Raksha Khadse emphasised the role of sports in national development and highlighted India’s upcoming international events, including the 2030 Commonwealth Games and the 2036 Olympics. Navneet Kaur and Hardik Singh expressed gratitude for the recognition, acknowledging their teammates, coaches, and support systems. The ceremony celebrated a century-long legacy of Indian hockey while inspiring future generations of players.

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