TOISA 2024: Hockey stars nominated for top honours | More sports News
NEW DELHI: India’s standout hockey stars will assemble for the Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) 2024 in Lucknow on February 22.
Recognising the country’s finest athletes and their commitment to excellence, the seventh edition of TOISA will celebrate those who delivered remarkable performances in 2024.
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This year’s theme, #MoreSweatMoreGlory, honours the relentless determination of athletes and para-athletes across a wide range of sports.
By honouring the accolades of national sports icons, TOISA aims to celebrate the past and nurture the future of sports in India.
Here’s a look at the hockey stars nominated for the award:
Hockey Player of the Year – Men
Harmanpreet Singh
Date of Birth: January 6, 1996
Place of Birth: Timmowal (Amritsar), Punjab
Sport: Hockey
Major Achievements in 2024
– Led the team to Paris Olympics bronze medal
– Top scorer at the Paris Olympics
– Led the team to Asian Champions Trophy title
– FIH Best Player of the Year award
– Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award
The captain of the Indian men’s hockey team, Harmanpreet Singh, delivered outstanding performances in the year 2024, leading his team to significant achievements. At the Paris 2024 Olympics, he emerged as the tournament’s top scorer with 10 goals, including both goals in India’s 2-1 victory over Spain to secure the bronze medal. This accomplishment marked India’s second consecutive Olympic bronze in men’s hockey. Following the Olympics, Singh captained India to a gold medal at the Asian Champions Trophy in September, where he was named the best player of the tournament. In recognition of his exceptional contributions throughout the year, Harmanpreet Singh was honoured with the FIH Best Player of the Year award for the third time in his career. He was also bestowed upon the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award for his contribution to the sport and achievements in 2024.
PR Sreejesh
Date of Birth: May 8, 1988
Place of Birth: Kochi, Kerala
Sport: Hockey
Major Achievements in 2024
– Part of Paris Olympics bronze medal-winning team
– FIH Goalkeeper of the Year Award
Veteran Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh delivered stellar performances in 2024, culminating in a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics. Notably, in the quarterfinals against Great Britain, India were reduced to ten men after a red card to Amit Rohidas. Despite this disadvantage, Sreejesh’s exceptional saves, including two crucial stops in the penalty shootout, were instrumental in India’s 4-2 victory, propelling them into the semifinals. Following the Olympics, Sreejesh announced his retirement from international hockey, concluding an illustrious 18-year career. In recognition of his outstanding contributions, he was honoured with the FIH Goalkeeper of the Year award for the third time.
Hardik Singh
Date of Birth: September 23, 1998
Place of Birth: Khusropur (Jalandhar), Punjab
Sport: Hockey
Major Achievements in 2024
– Part of Paris Olympics bronze medal-winning team
At the Paris Olympics, midfielder Hardik played a crucial role in India’s journey to securing a bronze medal, showcasing exceptional skill and resilience. His dynamic presence in the midfield was instrumental in both defensive stands and offensive drives, contributing significantly to the team’s overall performance.
Vivek Sagar Prasad
Date of Birth: February 25, 2000
Place of Birth: Itarsi, Madhya Pradesh
Sport: Hockey
Major Achievements in 2024
– Part of Paris Olympics bronze medal-winning team
– Part Asian Champions Trophy title-winning team
Skillful midfielder Vivek Sagar Prasad contributed significantly to India’s bronze medal victory at the Paris Olympics. Later in the year, he once again excelled in the role of a playmaker in India’s triumph at the Asian Champions Trophy. His journey from a rising star to an Olympic medalist underscores his dedication and impact on Indian hockey.
Hockey Player of the Year – Women
Salima Tete
Date of Birth: December 27, 2001
Place of Birth: Simdega, Jharkhand
Sport: Hockey
Major Achievements in 2024:
– Led the team to Asian Champions Trophy triumph
Salima Tete solidified her status as a key figure in Indian women’s hockey, having entered 2024 as the team’s new leader. As captain, she led the team to victory in the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy. Her leadership was further recognized when she received the Arjuna Award from President Droupadi Murmu for her exceptional performance in hockey. Her dedication and achievements have been instrumental in elevating the profile of women’s hockey in India.
Savita
Date of Birth: July 11, 1990
Place of Birth: Jodhkan (Sirsa), Haryana
Sport: Hockey
Major Achievements in 2024:
– Part of Asian Champions Trophy-winning team
Savita remains one of the pivotal figures in Indian hockey, not only as a goalkeeper but as part of the leadership group under coach Harendra Singh. Even though she has handed over the team’s captaincy to Salima Tete, Savita’s presence in the team has proved crucial, including during the Asian Champions Trophy triumph, in guiding young players to absorb pressure while playing for the country.
Mumtaz Khan
Date of Birth: January 15, 2003
Place of Birth: Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
Sport: Hockey
Major Achievements in 2024:
– Part of Indian team that won a silver medal at the Hockey 5s World Cup
– Part of Indian team that lifted the Junior Asia Cup trophy
In 2024, the promising 22-year-old striker Mumtaz showcased exceptional talent. In January, she was instrumental in India’s silver medal finish at the FIH Hockey5s World Cup in Muscat, Oman, contributing significantly to the team’s performance. Later in the year, during India’s triumphant run in the Women’s Junior Asia Cup, Mumtaz delivered a standout performance by scoring four goals in the match against Bangladesh, leading India to a commanding 13-1 victory.
Lalremsiami
Date of Birth: March 30, 2000
Place of Birth: Kolasib, Mizoram
Sport: Hockey
Major Achievements in 2024:
– Part of Asian Champions Trophy-winning team
Forward Lalremsiami continued to be a pivotal player for the national team, which showed in the fact that in 2024 she went on to complete her 150 appearances for the senior team. Earlier in the year, during the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy, Lalremsiami played a crucial role in India’s 2-0 semifinal victory over Japan — scoring the winning goal with less than five minutes remaining. Throughout the year, Lalremsiami’s consistent performance helped her grow into a senior member of the side.
