New Delhi [India], January 3: Hockey India extended heartfelt congratulations to Indian men’s hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh, who was honored with the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, India’s highest sporting accolade. Harmanpreet’s leadership was instrumental in guiding the Indian team to a historic bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, ending a 52-year wait for back-to-back Olympic medals—a feat not achieved since the 1972 Munich Games.
In addition to Harmanpreet, Hockey India also congratulated Indian Women’s Hockey Team Captain Salima Tete, who received the Arjuna Award after leading the team to victory at the Asian Champions Trophy. The Indian men’s team members, including Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh, and Sanjay, were also recognized with the Arjuna Award for their contributions to the Olympic bronze medal victory in Paris. The Hon’ble President of India will present the awards on January 17 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey expressed his pride in the achievements, saying, “We are delighted with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports’ decision to award Harmanpreet Singh the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award and to recognize Salima, Abhishek, Sukhjeet, Jarmanpreet, and Sanjay with the Arjuna Award. I congratulate them all and commend their hard work and sacrifices. Their accomplishments bring immense pride to the nation, and this recognition will inspire many young players to take up hockey.”
Reflecting on the significance of the awards, Bhola Nath Singh, Secretary General of Hockey India, said, “This is a momentous occasion for hockey. While we celebrate ‘hockey ka jashn’ during the ongoing Hockey India League, today’s announcement has further added to the excitement. It was a historic year for Indian hockey, and I’m especially proud of Salima Tete, a young girl from Jharkhand’s tribal belt, for receiving the Arjuna Award. This is a proud moment for the entire hockey community. Congratulations to all the winners!”