Birendra , Vandana Win Hockey India’s Player Of The Year Award
23 March, New Delhi
Promising mid-fielder Birendra Lakrawas today awarded the Player of the Year (Men) award while Vandana Kataria won in the Women’s category in the inaugural Hockey India Annual Awards ceremony here today.
Both Birendra and Vandana took home a sum of Rs 25,00,000each for winning the Dhruv Batra Award for Player of the Year (Men and Women).
Hockey India conferred the awards in the categories of Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award to Balbir SinghSr with a cash prize of Rs 30,00,000, Jaman Lal Sharma Award for Invaluable Contribution (for coaches and support staff) awarded to Harendra Singh where in he got a cheque Rs 5,00,000 and Hockey India President Award for Outstanding Achievement conferred to One Thousand Hockey Legs with a Rs 5,00,000 cheque for its exceptional contribution towards the sport.
Six awards named after players who represented India inthe past included, the Jugraj Singh Award for Upcoming Player of the Year (Men Under 21) awarded to Harmanpreet Singh with a cash prize of Rs 10,00,000, Asunta Lakra Awardfor Upcoming Player of the Year (Women Under 21) to Namita Toppo with Rs 10,00,000.
Besides a cash prize of Rs 5,00,000, Baljit Singh Award for Goalkeeper of the Year awarded to PR Sreejesh, Pargat Singh Award for Defender of the Year to Deepika, Ajit PalSingh Award for Midfielder of the Year given to Manpreet Singh and Dhanraj Pillay Award for Forward of the Year awarded to Akashdeep Singh for showcasing their efforts tocontinue upholding a healthy sports culture in the nation.
Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, who was present onthe occasion said, “I would like to appreciate this initiative by Hockey India and feel proud of them. Would like to wish the teams and the players all the best and hope they win more accolades.”
Congratulating the awardees, Hockey India President Narinder Batra said, “This is a first of its kind initiative and we will continue recognising players for their performance on the field. We want to motivate them and make them feel proud for what they are achieving for the country. I congratulate each of the awardees and hope to see them continuing to contribute for the sport for times to come.