New Delhi: Midfielder Hardik Singh and striker Navneet Kaur won the Hockey Player of the Year awards in the men’s and women’s category respectively on Friday. All the players were honoured during a glittering ceremony in the capital city that celebrated the best performers in the past one year.
Meanwhile, former India captain Zafar Iqbal was bestowed with the Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award. Iqbal was a member of the 1980 Moscow Olympics gold medal-winning team. Hardik and Navneet were honoured with the Balbir Singh Sr Award for Player of the Year 2025 that includes a cash reward of Rs 20 lakh each.
Iqbal received a cash reward of Rs 25 lakh for his contribution to Indian hockey. Iqbal remains to be one of most celebrated players with two silver medals at the Asian Games in 1978 and 1982 along with a bronze medal at the 1982 Champions Trophy.
Hockey India distributes awards
The Baljir Singh Award for Goalkeeper of the Year was won by the women team’s Bichu Devi Kharibam, while the Pargat Singh Award for Defender of the Year was won by Sanjay, both carrying a cash reward of Rs 5 lakh each.
Hockey India Ajit Pal Singh Award for Midfielder of the Year was won by Sanjay, while the Dhanraj Pillay Award for Forward of the Year was collected by Sukhjeet Singh. Both the players got Rs 5 lakh each.
Earlier in the day, Raghu Prasad RV was honoured for being named the FIH Umpire of the Year for 2025, while Ishika was recognised for scoring a goal on her debut against Uruguay during the FIH World Cup 2026 Qualifiers in Hyderabad.
Most importantly, both the Indian men’s and women’s hockey teams received incentives for every international match won, with the men receiving Rs 1.38 crore and the women getting Rs 69 lakh.
The event was attended by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, who gave away the main awards, and his deputy Raksha Khadse, besides HI officials, former hockey players and other dignitaries.
(With PTI inputs)