Amit Rohidas, one of the world’s finest first-rushers in hockey, was honored with the Hockey India Pargat Singh Award for Defender of the Year 2024 at the prestigious Hockey India 7th Annual Awards held in New Delhi. As part of this recognition, he received a cash prize of INR 5 lakh for his outstanding contributions to Indian hockey.
A Well-Deserved Honor for an Olympic Medallist
Amit Rohidas, a key member of the Indian hockey team that won a bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, added another remarkable achievement to his career with this latest accolade. His exceptional defensive skills and ability to thwart opposition attacks have earned him recognition as one of the best defenders in the world. Winning this award cements his status as the nation’s top defender, a well-earned title for the talented player from Odisha.
A Grand Celebration of Indian Hockey
The Hockey India Annual Awards 2024 was a grand event, bringing together the entire Indian hockey fraternity. The ceremony served as a platform to honor players, coaches, officials, and hockey legends who have played a pivotal role in elevating the sport in India.
This year’s awards were particularly special as they coincided with two significant milestones in Indian hockey history:
- The 100-year celebration of Indian hockey’s journey.
- The 50th anniversary (golden jubilee) of India’s historic 1975 World Cup victory, a moment that remains one of the proudest achievements in the nation’s sporting history.
States Recognized for Their Contributions to Hockey
Apart from individual awards, eight states were recognized for their exceptional contributions to Indian hockey and their performances in the 14th Hockey India National Championships 2024. The states that received this honor were:
- Hockey Haryana
- Hockey Jharkhand
- Hockey Association of Odisha
- Hockey Madhya Pradesh
- Hockey Maharashtra
- Uttar Pradesh Hockey
- Hockey Punjab
Each of these states showcased outstanding performances across various categories in the National Championships, reinforcing their role in developing hockey talent in India. In recognition of their contributions, they were each awarded a cash prize of INR 10 lakh.
A Bright Future for Indian Hockey
The Hockey India Annual Awards 2024 not only celebrated the present champions but also reinforced the country’s commitment to fostering young talent and growing the sport. With players like Amit Rohidas leading the charge and states actively promoting the sport, Indian hockey is well on its way to achieving greater heights on the global stage.
