PR Sreejesh, who retired after helping India win a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, and Harmanpreet Singh, the top goal-scorer at the same games, are both in the running for the FIH Hockey Stars Awards 2024. This news was announced by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) on Tuesday.
Awards and Nominees
A total of 30 hockey players, both men and women, have been nominated for six awards, including the FIH Best Player, FIH Best Goalkeeper, and FIH Rising Star of the Year Awards.
An expert panel, made up of players, coaches, and officials from various continental federations, confirmed the nominations. Voting is open until October 11, with input from national team captains, fans, players, and media to decide the winners.
PR Sreejesh’s Nomination
Former Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, who retired after the Paris 2024 Olympics, is one of the five nominees for the Goalkeeper of the Year award. The other nominees are Pirmin Blaak (Netherlands), Luis Calzado (Spain), Jean-Paul Danneberg (Germany), and Tomás Santiago (Argentina).
Sreejesh, aged 36, made his international debut in 2006 and has had a distinguished career with multiple titles, including two Olympic bronze medals and two Asian Games gold medals. At the Paris Olympics, he played a key role in India’s shootout victory over Great Britain and excelled in the bronze medal match against Spain.
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Harmanpreet Singh’s Nomination
Harmanpreet Singh, the captain of the Indian men’s hockey team, is nominated for the Player of the Year award. He faces competition from Thierry Brinkman (Netherlands), Joep de Mol (Netherlands), Hannes Müller (Germany), and Zach Wallace (England).
Singh, known for his drag-flicking skills, was the top goal-scorer at Paris 2024 with 10 goals in eight matches. He also scored twice in the semi-finals of the Asian Champions Trophy 2024, helping India reach the final.
FIH Hockey Stars Awards 2024 Nominations
FIH Player of the Year Award
Women: Gu Bingfeng (CHN), Yibbi Jansen (NED), Nike Lorenz (GER), Stéphanie Vanden Borre (BEL), Xan de Waard (NED)
Men: Thierry Brinkman (NED), Joep de Mol (NED), Hannes Müller (GER), Harmanpreet Singh (IND), Zach Wallace (ENG)
FIH Goalkeeper of the Year Award
Women: Cristina Cosentino (ARG), Aisling D’Hooghe (BEL), Nathalie Kubalski (GER), Anne Veenendaal (NED), Ye Jiao (CHN)
Men: Pirmin Blaak (NED), Luis Calzado (ESP), Jean-Paul Danneberg (GER), Tomás Santiago (ARG), PR Sreejesh (IND)
FIH Rising Star of the Year Award
Women: Claire Colwill (AUS), Zoe Díaz (ARG), Tan Jinzhuang (CHN), Emily White (BEL), Linnea Weidemann (GER)
Men: Bautista Capurro (ARG), Bruno Font (ESP), Sufyan Khan (PAK), Michel Struthoff (GER), Arno Van Dessel (BEL)
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