Muscat
Harmanpreet Singh, captain of the Indian men’s team, was awarded the FIH Player of the Year 2024, while former goalkeeper PR Sreejesh was honored as Goalkeeper of the Year at the FIH Statutory Congress in Oman on Friday night.
These prestigious awards were decided by votes from an Expert Panel, national team captains and coaches, fans, and media. Harmanpreet emerged as the top choice across all voting categories, following his outstanding performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where he scored 10 goals, including two in India’s 2-1 bronze medal victory against Spain. This win marks India’s second consecutive Olympic podium finish, a remarkable feat for Harmanpreet, who led his team to success after assuming the captaincy in 2023. This is Harmanpreet’s third FIH Player of the Year award, making it even more special as he captained India for the first time at the Olympics.
Expressing gratitude, Harmanpreet thanked his teammates, Hockey India, and his family, saying, “Receiving this award in front of my wife and daughter is an unforgettable moment. Thanks to everyone who made this possible!”
Meanwhile, PR Sreejesh ended his career on a high note with his third FIH Goalkeeper of the Year award. Known for his heroic saves, Sreejesh played a crucial role in India’s quarterfinal win over Great Britain, where India fought through with just 10 players. Reflecting on his career, Sreejesh shared, “This award belongs to my teammates and Hockey India, who supported me every step of the way.”
