Deepika and Araijeet Singh Hundal Thrilled by Hockey India Annual Awards Nominations
Click to start listening
Synopsis
Deepika and Araijeet Singh Hundal express their joy at being nominated for the Hockey India 7th Annual Awards 2024. With remarkable performances, both players aim to inspire future hockey athletes.
Key Takeaways
- Deepika nominated for Asunta Lakra Award.
- Araijeet nominated for Jugraj Singh Award.
- Both players have significant achievements in their hockey careers.
- The awards ceremony will take place on March 15 in New Delhi.
- Event celebrating 50 years of the 1975 World Cup.
New Delhi, March 11 (NationPress) Emerging hockey talents Deepika and Araijeet Singh Hundal have shared their excitement upon receiving nominations for the esteemed Hockey India 7th Annual Awards 2024.
The two promising players, who have made a noteworthy impact within their teams, have been nominated for the Hockey India Asunta Lakra Award for Upcoming Player of the Year (Women – Under 21) and the Hockey India Jugraj Singh Award for Upcoming Player of the Year (Men – Under 21), respectively.
Deepika, a crucial player in the Indian women's team's achievements during 2024-25, was also part of the gold medal-winning squads at both the Jharkhand Women's Asian Champions Trophy Ranchi 2023 and the Bihar Women's Asian Champions Trophy Rajgir 2024.
She finished as the third-highest goalscorer in women’s hockey in 2024, netting 17 goals across 26 matches, trailing only Yibbi Jansen (29 goals) from the Netherlands and Ambre Ballenghien (19 goals) from Belgium. Additionally, she led the scoring charts at both the Asian Champions Trophy 2024 and the Jr Women's Asia Cup, with totals of 11 and 12 goals respectively.
During the recently concluded India leg of the FIH Hockey Pro League, she scored three goals, all in matches that resulted in victories for India: the first against England (3-2), the second against Germany (1-0), and the last against the formidable Dutch team, which India won in a shootout.
On reflecting about her nomination, she stated, "Being nominated for this award is a proud moment for me. Winning gold medals in consecutive Asian Champions Trophy tournaments has been a special experience, and this nomination is another encouragement to keep pushing myself and improving my game."
She further added, "Awards like these motivate young players to stay focused and work harder. I am happy that my performances have been recognised, and I am grateful for the support of my teammates and coaches."
Araijeet, who received this award last year, has also contributed significantly to the Indian Men's Hockey Team, playing a pivotal role in their gold medal-winning campaign at the Hero Asian Champions Trophy China 2024. Reflecting on his journey, he shared, "Last year when I received the award I was really pleased, and it motivated me to work harder and push myself. It also gave me the confidence that I can become a part of the senior team and do well for India."
He added, "I am very happy to be nominated again; this was an important year for me, with the Asian Champions Trophy being the highlight. For young players, it is very motivating, and regardless of who wins, I am happy that my efforts are recognised."
The Hockey India 7th Annual Awards 2024, set to take place on March 15 in New Delhi, will honour exceptional performances from the 2024 season, boasting a record prize pool of approximately Rs 12 crore. The event will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of India’s historic 1975 World Cup victory and mark 100 years of Indian hockey's affiliation with the International Hockey Federation (FIH).
