Savita Credits In-Laws' Support for Her Triumph at Hockey India Awards

New Delhi, March 19 (NationPress) Former captain of the Indian women's hockey team and experienced goalkeeper Savita was recently awarded the Player of the Year (Women) and the Goalkeeper of the Year at the Hockey India Annual Awards. She perceives these accolades as a testament to the influential people in her life who have contributed to her success.

During her comments on receiving the Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr. Award for Player of the Year for the third consecutive time, Savita expressed, “It feels incredibly rewarding. This year has seen numerous impressive performances, and I honestly didn’t expect to win. Every athlete appreciates recognition for their hard work, and I am truly thankful for this award.”

While accepting the honour, Savita acknowledged her team’s unwavering support. “In our team, we continuously uplift each other and cheer for one another’s accomplishments. Achievements are impossible without the backing of the team; thus, this award wouldn’t be feasible without them.”

Though Savita could not be present at the awards ceremony in person, she participated remotely from Toronto, Canada, alongside her in-laws. She dedicated her award to them, recognizing their steadfast encouragement. “My husband and his family have been immensely supportive of my hockey career. Many athletes feel pressured to retire after marriage, but they have motivated me to continue striving for excellence with the Indian team. I consider myself fortunate to have their support.”

Reflecting on her Goalkeeper of the Year award, Savita emphasized the commitment required to excel in her position. “Countless hours of training in footwork, agility, reflexes, and positioning go unnoticed. The coaches have also invested significant effort into enhancing my performance.”

The last year has been pivotal for Savita, highlighted by her leadership of the Soorma Hockey Club in the Hero Hockey India League. “Hockey India has fulfilled its commitment to host the Hero Hockey India League for women, for which we are extremely thankful. The tournament was enjoyable and significantly improved our individual skills.”

Savita’s accolades came with noteworthy cash rewards—Rs 25,00,000 for the Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr. Award for Player of the Year (Women) and Rs 5,00,000 for the Hockey India Baljit Singh Award for Goalkeeper of the Year.

She highlighted the significance of these rewards, stating, “In the earlier years, it was unimaginable to receive such substantial amounts. While recognition is vital, it also empowers us to provide for our families and loved ones. There aren’t many sports in India where women have access to such opportunities.”

Looking forward, Savita is focused on the upcoming World Cup and the next phase of the FIH Women’s Pro League. “When the nation invests so much in recognizing and rewarding us, we owe it to them to perform at our best. With these awards comes a sense of responsibility.”

She also discussed India’s recent performances, adding, “Our strong showings in the latest round of the FIH Women’s Pro League in Bhubaneswar were impressive. Overcoming the Netherlands in a shootout was a significant victory, and I consider it my standout performance this year. We aim to keep improving.”