In a significant uplift to the country’s hockey scenario, India’s star defender and drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh has been honoured with the 2018 Player of the Year award by the Asian Hockey Federation.
To add cherry on the cake, the Indian Women’s team striker Lalremsiami was named as the ‘Rising Player of the Year.’
Harmanpreet was a major contributor in Indian team’s silver medal-winning performance at the FIH Champions Trophy in Breda last year. Moreover, Harmanpreet was an elemental part of the Indian team that triumphed at the Asian Champions Trophy 2018.
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After hearing the news, Harmanpreet Singh took to Twitter to express his feelings, “Okay! Where do I began to thank you for your consistent support, for inspiring me to be the best I can possibly be .. for giving me strength to fulfill your expectations .. by embracing your blessings. We as team is very blissful by your support ..”
A BiG THANK to ASIAN HOCKEY FEDERATION FOR presenting me the AWARd of ASIAN PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2k18 .. I promise i will give my best in 2k19 n in coming years also .. with all your support n ofcourse with my hardwork … ?? ??✅
— Harmanpreet Singh (@13harmanpreet) February 25, 2019
“A big thanks to Asian Hockey Federation for presenting me the award of Asian Player of the year 2k18 .. I promise I will give my best in 2k19 n in coming years also .. with all your support n of course with my hard work …,” he said on Twitter.
Lalremsiami Receives Much Deserved Recognition
On the other hand, Lalremsiami, the youngest player in India women’s hockey team, was also a stand out performer in the blue jersey. She is believed to be one of the brightest prospect in Indian hockey.
?Asia Hockey | Huge Congratulations to India's Lalremsiami for receiving the 'Rising Player of the Year' award by Asian Hockey Federation#AsiaHockey | #HockeyIndia | ?GT pic.twitter.com/M5EMMKBTzU
— The DragFlick™ (@thedragflick) February 24, 2019
The 18-year-old, who hails from a small village in Mizoram, showed an appreciable progress in the women’s team with her stunning performance as a striker/forward at the the 2018 Asian Games as well as the 2018 World Cup.
The team clinched a silver in the former competition. Moreover, Siami, as the Lalremsiami is known, was also an integral part of the Under 18 team that triumphed at the 2018 Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires. They won a silver there.
Yuva Shakti and Nari Shakti make India proud.
Young Lalremsiami, a forward, scored 9 enthralling goals in the Youth Olympics 2018 and helped Indian Junior Women's Hockey team win the Silver medal in the tournament.
Congratulations and best wishes for a bright future! pic.twitter.com/Cl3Ta90DF5
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 21, 2018
Furthermore, Siami was also awarded ‘the Under-21 rising star award’ at the 2018 Asian Champions Trophy. She played a total of 31 minutes then in five games, scoring twice. India won a silver in the competition.
