Published: 28 March 2026Hockey India / ANI / Tribune India / Olympics.com / Business StandardSports
Hockey India 8th Annual Awards 2025: Hardik Singh and Navneet Kaur Named Players of the Year; Gurjant Singh Retires
The Hockey India 8th Annual Awards 2025 ceremony was held on March 27, 2026, in New Delhi, attended by Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya and Minister of State Raksha Khadse. Hardik Singh and Navneet Kaur were conferred the Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr. Award for Player of the Year 2025, each receiving ₹20 lakh.
Legendary Zafar Iqbal — a key member of India's gold medal-winning team at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, silver medals at the 1978 and 1982 Asian Games, and bronze at the 1982 Champions Trophy — received the Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award (₹25 lakh). Bichu Devi Kharibam won the Baljit Singh Award for Goalkeeper of the Year, Sanjay won the Pargat Singh Award for Defender of the Year, Sumit won the Ajit Pal Singh Award for Midfielder of the Year, and Sukhjeet Singh won the Dhanraj Pillay Award for Forward of the Year.
In a major announcement at the ceremony, two-time Olympic bronze medallist Gurjant Singh (31) announced his retirement from international hockey after 130 caps and 33 goals. He was instrumental in India's bronze medals at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics, the 2023 Asian Games gold, and the 2017 Asia Cup. His retirement marks the end of an era for Indian forward line depth.
Mains angle
Q: Discuss the significance of the Hockey India 8th Annual Awards 2025 for Indian hockey's recognition and generational transition.
Answer (50 words):
On 27 March 2026 in New Delhi, Hardik Singh and Navneet Kaur received the Balbir Singh Sr. Player of the Year Award with ₹20 lakh each. Moscow-1980 gold medallist Zafar Iqbal received the Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award with ₹25 lakh; Olympic bronze medallist Gurjant Singh retired after 130 caps.
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CoverageNationalSubjectAwards & PrizesExamBasic Computer Instructor · CET Graduation · CET Senior Secondary · EO/RO · LDC · Mahila Supervisor · Patwar · PTI · RAS · REET · RPSC SI · School Lecturer · Senior Computer Instructor · Senior Teacher · UPSC · Vanpal · PrelimsSourceHockey India / ANI / Tribune India / Olympics.com / Business Standard
Practice MCQ from this story
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Linked questionMedium
Which legendary hockey player received the Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award at the 8th Hockey India Annual Awards?
Explanation · Correct answer AZafar Iqbal, a key member of India's 1980 Moscow Olympics gold medal team, received the Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award of ₹25 lakh.
Frequently asked questions
Who were named Players of the Year at Hockey India's 8th Annual Awards 2025?
Hardik Singh was named the Men's Player of the Year and Navneet Kaur was named the Women's Player of the Year at Hockey India's 8th Annual Awards 2025 ceremony held on March 27, 2026. Each received prize money of ₹20 lakh.
Who received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Hockey India 8th Annual Awards and what was the prize money?
Zafar Iqbal received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Hockey India 8th Annual Awards 2025. He was awarded ₹25 lakh as prize money, which was higher than the ₹20 lakh given to the Players of the Year.
What are the career statistics of Gurjant Singh, who retired from international hockey?
Gurjant Singh retired from international hockey with 130 caps and 33 goals to his name. He was a two-time Olympic medallist, having been part of the Indian hockey team that won medals at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics.
When was the Hockey India 8th Annual Awards 2025 ceremony held?
The Hockey India 8th Annual Awards 2025 ceremony was held on March 27, 2026. The event recognised excellence across men's, women's, and junior categories in Indian hockey.
What categories does Hockey India's annual awards cover?
Hockey India's annual awards recognise excellence across men's, women's, and junior hockey categories. The awards include Player of the Year in each category, the Lifetime Achievement Award, and other performance-based recognitions at the annual ceremony.
