Lausanne, Switzerland, October 7, 2021: India’s hockey heroes from the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games have dominated the FIH Hockey Stars Awards 2020-21.
India’s men won the bronze medal – their first podium placing since gold at Moscow 1980 – while the women captivated the nation in finishing fourth.
These achievements were reflected in the awards of the International Hockey Federation governing body announced October 6.
Gurjit Kaur (Best Player, Women), Harmanpreet Singh (Best Player, Men), Savita (Best Goalkeeper, Women), PR Sreejesh (Best Goalkeeper, Men), Sharmila Devi (Best Rising Star, Women) and Vivek Sagar Prasad (Best Rising Star, Men) all won their respective categories; so, too, did the coaches of India’s women’s team, Sjoerd Marijne (NED), and India’s men’s team, Graham Reid (AUS).
FIH reports that 79 National Associations - represented by their respective national captains and coaches – voted: Africa, 11 out of 25 Member Associations; Asia, 29/33; Europe, 19/42; Oceania, 3/8; and Pan America, 17/30.
With a record number of almost 300,000 fans casting their votes, fan participation in the FIH Hockey Stars Awards has been exceptional.
Congratulating the award winners, Hockey India President Gyanendro Ningombam said: “This is a great moment for Indian hockey as all our Indian nominees for the FIH Stars Awards have been announced winners.
“After the historic performances in Tokyo by both Indian Men and Women's Hockey teams, the support from Indian fans from across the globe has been overwhelming. We thank everyone who supported the nominees by voting for them.
“This is a big moment for us and these awards will definitely inspire future generations to take up the sport professionally. On behalf of Hockey India, I congratulate all the award winners and wish them success in their future endeavours."
