In recognition of global hockey talent, Harmanpreet Singh of India, Yibbi Jansen of the Netherlands, and legendary goalkeeper PR Sreejesh were honoured at the 49th FIH Statutory Congress in Oman.
Harmanpreet and Jansen were named the FIH Players of the Year 2024, while PR Sreejesh won the FIH Goalkeeper of the Year award, adding to India’s proud legacy in the sport. The prestigious awards were presented following a vote by an expert panel, national associations, fans, and media.
Harmanpreet Singh’s leadership and brilliance
Indian captain mostly known as the “Sarpanch Saab”, Harmanpreet Singh earned the FIH Men’s Player of the Year award, receiving the most votes across all categories. Singh played a crucial role in India’s successful Olympic campaign at Paris 2024, scoring 10 goals, including key strikes in the quarterfinals, semifinals, and the bronze medal match against Spain. This win marked India’s second consecutive Olympic medal, following their historic podium finish at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
“I am deeply honoured to receive this award. The celebrations back home after the Olympics were overwhelming, and I couldn’t have done it without my teammates and the support of Hockey India. This award feels extra special as I’m sharing this moment with my wife and daughter,” said Harmanpreet during his acceptance speech.
PR Sreejesh’s goalkeeping excellence
Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh was awarded the FIH Goalkeeper of the Year, cementing his status as one of the world’s best in the position. His brilliant saves and leadership in the goal were crucial to India’s historic performances, particularly in the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics. He announced his retirement from the sport, right after winning the bronze in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
After winning the award, Sreejesh said, “I am so happy today. Thank you for this last playing honour of my playing career. As most people know, Paris 2024 was the last tournament I played for my country and I just want to thank Hockey India for all the support and guidance offered over all the years I have played the sport. This award completely belongs to my team, the defence who made sure most attacks never got to me, and the midfielders and forwards who covered up my mistakes by scoring more goals than I conceded.”
Yibbi Jansen’s golden performance for the Netherlands
Dutch forward Yibbi Jansen was crowned FIH Women’s Player of the Year after leading the Netherlands to a gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Scoring 9 goals, including a crucial equaliser in the final with just 10 minutes to go, Jansen’s performance was crucial to her team’s victory. At just 24 years old, she continues to impress as one of the sport’s brightest talents.
Reflecting on her win, Jansen shared, “Winning the Olympic gold was a dream come true. It was an intense match, and with 10 minutes left, we were behind. But we had unwavering belief in each other, and I’m so grateful to my teammates for their support.”
Other major awards
The FIH Rising Star awards were claimed by Zoe Díaz of Argentina and Sufyan Khan of Pakistan, both of whom have shown immense promise in their early careers.
In the coaching category, Alyson Annan (Australia) was awarded FIH Women’s Coach of the Year for the second consecutive year after leading China to a dominant performance, while Jeroen Delmee (Netherlands) claimed the Men’s Coach of the Year award for his role in guiding his team to success.
The FIH Umpire of the Year awards went to Sarah Wilson of Scotland in the women’s category and Steve Rogers of Australia in the men’s, recognising their outstanding officiating in international competitions.
A moment of pride for India
For India, Harmanpreet Singh and PR Sreejesh’s recognition at the FIH Awards 2024 adds another feather to the cap of Indian hockey. These accolades are a testament to the hard work, leadership, and brilliance of the Indian team, making it a proud moment for Indian sports on the global stage.
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