NEW DELHI: The last couple of years have been momentous for Indian hockey with both the men's and women's teams bringing laurels for the country. The men clinched a historic bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics - a medal at the Summer Games after a 41-year drought - and followed it with silver at the Commonwealth Games last year.
The women weren't far behind, reaching the Olympic semifinals, winning bronze at the CWG, and then securing the 2022 FIH Nations Cup title.
On Friday, Hockey India rewarded the players for their super show. Men's team vice captain Hardik Singh, who was instrumental in India winning the Olympic bronze, bagged the Balbir Singh Sr. Award for Player of the Year 2022 (Men). Goalkeeper and women's team captain Savita Punia, who has been outstanding under the bar in big tournaments, was awarded the Balbir Singh Sr. Award for Player of the Year 2022 (Women).
The legendary Gurbux Singh, 87, was honoured with the Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award for 2022. Gurbux was a member of the gold medal-winning Indian team at the 1964 Olympics. He was also the captain of the gold-winning 1966 Asiad team.
During the felicitation ceremony, Hockey India president and former India captain, Dilip Tirkey, said, "The current generation of Indian players - both men and women - are putting in inspirational performances. I'm sure they are going to bring further laurels for the country in the future."
