New Delhi, March 24 (NationPress) As Hockey India prepares to celebrate the Hockey India Annual Awards 2025 on March 27 in New Delhi, Indian hockey luminaries Hardik Singh and Navneet Kaur expressed their appreciation and enthusiasm after receiving nominations for the esteemed Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr. Award for Player of the Year 2025. They noted that it truly feels like their dedication is being acknowledged.

In addition to the top accolade, Hardik Singh has also been nominated for the Hockey India Ajit Pal Singh Award for Midfielder of the Year 2025, while Navneet Kaur is up for the Hockey India Dhanraj Pillay Award for Forward of the Year 2025, emphasizing their remarkable performances throughout the past year.

Both athletes played pivotal roles in India's achievements on the global stage in 2025. Hardik Singh was crucial in securing a gold medal for India at the Asia Cup Rajgir, Bihar 2025, showcasing his strong midfield abilities. Concurrently, Navneet Kaur significantly contributed to India's success at the Women's Asia Cup Gongshu 2025, where her six goals were instrumental in leading the team to a silver medal.

She also reached an impressive milestone of 200 international caps during the tournament and delivered an outstanding performance at the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 Qualifiers in Hyderabad, Telangana, where India secured silver. Navneet finished as the third-highest scorer with four goals and was honored as the 'Player of the Tournament'.

Commenting on his nomination, Hardik stated, “It feels incredible to be nominated for the Hockey India Annual Awards. For an athlete, being recognized for their efforts is a significant honor. The commitment and enthusiasm you invest daily are acknowledged, making it a truly special experience.”

Reflecting on his most cherished moment from the past year, he remarked, “Winning the Asia Cup in Bihar was particularly meaningful. It was a crucial tournament for us, especially given our prior momentum wasn’t optimal. Despite the challenges, we united as a team and triumphed. My individual performance was also commendable, which makes that tournament stand out.”

Regarding his consistency and dedication to the sport, Hardik shared, “I am passionate about hockey and strive to give my utmost both on and off the field. The unwavering support from my teammates and family empowers me to express myself through the game.”

Looking ahead, he added, “I am highly motivated for the upcoming FIH Hockey World Cup and Asian Games. Opportunities to participate in three consecutive World Cups are rare, and if selected, I will give everything I have.”

Navneet also shared her excitement about her nomination, saying, “I want to express my gratitude to Hockey India for organizing the Hockey India Annual Awards each year. It is incredibly uplifting for players. I am genuinely thrilled to be nominated for both the Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr. Award for Player of the Year and the Hockey India Dhanraj Pillay Award for Forward of the Year.

“I want to thank my family and teammates for their unwavering support on and off the field. Their faith in me means a lot,” she added.

Recalling her standout moment from 2025, Navneet Kaur said, “Our Asia Cup last year was a remarkable tournament. We performed exceptionally well, and it was special for me as I marked my 200th match for India. Although we didn’t win the final, our collective performance was commendable, making it a memorable experience.”

Discussing her recent strong form, she commented, “There’s no secret; it’s all about persistent hard work. I’ve been dedicated to enhancing my game over recent years, whether it’s refining my penalty corner flicks or playing with greater freedom during matches. Naturally, experience plays a significant role as well.”

Looking forward, Navneet Kaur concluded, “I am always filled with excitement and motivation when it comes to major tournaments like the FIH Hockey World Cup and Asian Games. We prepare tirelessly for these opportunities, and I am eager to deliver my best for the team.”