India’s hockey stars, Harmanpreet Singh and PR Sreejesh, have been nominated for the prestigious FIH Player of the Year and Goalkeeper of the Year awards, respectively. The nominations recognize their exceptional performances in leading India to a bronze medal at the recently concluded Paris Olympics.
Harmanpreet, the team’s captain, was a force to be reckoned with throughout the tournament. His 10 goals made him the highest scorer, showcasing his remarkable drag-flicking skills. He will face stiff competition from Thierry Brinkman (Netherlands), Joep de Mol (Netherlands), Hannes Müller (Germany), and Zach Wallace (England) for the Player of the Year award.
Sreejesh, a veteran goalkeeper, played a pivotal role in India’s success. His resolute defense, particularly in the quarterfinal against Great Britain when India was reduced to 10 men, was crucial in securing the team’s victory. He will compete against Pirmin Blaak (Netherlands), Luis Calzado (Spain), Jean-Paul Danneberg (Germany), and Tomas Santiago (Argentina) for the Goalkeeper of the Year honor.
The FIH Player of the Year and Goalkeeper of the Year awards are highly coveted accolades in the hockey world. The nominees were selected by an Expert Panel composed of players, coaches, and officials from each Continental Federation. The voting process will remain open until October 11, with national associations, fans, players, coaches, officials, and media having a say in determining the winners.
The nominations of Harmanpreet and Sreejesh are a testament to the resurgence of Indian hockey. Their performances have inspired a new generation of players and brought the sport back into the limelight. The awards ceremony will be held in November, where the winners will be announced and celebrated for their outstanding contributions to the game.
