Midfielder Hardik Singh and goalkeeper SavitaPunia were on Friday conferred with the men’s and women’s Indian ‘Hockey Player of the Year awards at a glittering ceremony here.
The 24-year-old Hardik beat his illustrious senior players like Manpreet Singh and Harmanpreet Singh to win the coveted award for 2022 named after hockey legend Balbir Singh senior at the fifth Hockey India Annual Awards.
Hardik was the most impressive player for India in the FIH World Cup held in Odisha in January before he was ruled out of the tournament due to a hamstring injury he suffered during the second-group match against England. He had scored a goal in India’s 2-0 win over Spain in the first match. India had made a shock exit from the World after losing to Spain in the pre-quarterfinals. Savita had led India to the FIH Women’s Nation’s Cup title in December last to book a berth in the Women’s Pro League. Both Hardik and Savita received Rs 25 lakh each, along with a trophy.