PR Sreejesh and Harmanpreet Singh have been recognised for their outstanding contributions to Indian hockey at the FIH Star of the Year Awards for 2023-24. The awards were announced during the 49th FIH Statutory Congress held in Oman on November 8, 2024. Sreejesh was awarded the title of FIH Goalkeeper of the Year, while Harmanpreet was named Best Male Player of the Year.
Key Achievements
Both athletes played crucial roles in India’s historic bronze medal win at the 2024 Paris Olympics, which took place earlier in the year. Sreejesh’s performance as a goalkeeper was particularly noteworthy; he delivered a stellar display throughout the tournament, especially in the quarterfinals against Great Britain, where India emerged victorious despite being reduced to ten players. This award marks Sreejesh’s third time receiving the FIH Goalkeeper of the Year honour, having previously won it in 2021 and 2022.
Harmanpreet Singh, who captained the Indian team, finished as the tournament’s highest scorer with ten goals, including crucial strikes in key matches. This recognition is especially significant for Harmanpreet, as it is his third FIH Player of the Year award, following wins in 2021 and 2022.
During their acceptance speeches, both players expressed heartfelt gratitude towards their teammates and Hockey India. Harmanpreet stated, “Receiving this award in front of my wife and daughter means the world to me,” emphasising the personal significance of this achievement. He thanked his teammates for their support: “None of this would have been possible without you all.
”Sreejesh also dedicated his award to his team: “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.”
Official Statements and Voting Process
The awards were determined through a voting process that involved an expert panel, national associations represented by their teams’ captains and coaches, fans, and media. Harmanpreet received over 63% of votes in his category, while Sreejesh garnered over 62%. Other notable awards included:
– Yibbi Jansen from the Netherlands as Best Female Player.
– Ye Jiao from China as Best Female Goalkeeper.
– The FIH Rising Stars awards went to Sufyan Khan from Pakistan and Zoe Díaz from Argentina.
– Coaching accolades were awarded to Alyson Annan (China) for women and Jeroen Delmee (Netherlands) for men.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At The Logical Indian, we celebrate these achievements as not just individual accolades but as milestones that reflect teamwork and dedication. The success of PR Sreejesh and Harmanpreet Singh serves as a reminder of how collective effort can lead to extraordinary outcomes. Their journey embodies values such as kindness, empathy, and harmony—principles that resonate deeply within our community. As we honour their accomplishments, we encourage a spirit of dialogue and coexistence among sports enthusiasts and beyond.
In light of these inspiring stories, how can we further support our athletes in achieving their dreams while fostering a culture of respect and collaboration in sports? Share your thoughts!
