India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh and women's captain Deepika won the Dhruv Batra Player of the Year award for men and women at the Hockey India awards ceremony. The gala event in Bengaluru carried a total prize money in excess of £200,000.
Goalkeeper Sreejesh was the star of the show. The Kerala lad set the stage on fire with some spectacular dance moves to some Bollywood numbers. Sreejesh, who was given a cheque of Rs 2500,000, said, “I dedicate this award to all my coaches, family members and friends who have encouraged me.”
Deepika, who captained Indian team to return to Olympics after a gap of 36 years, said, “The award will be a motivation for us to do well at Olympics.”
List of awardees: Late Shankar Laxman (Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement award, Rs 3000,000); PR Sreejesh (Dhruv Batra Award for Player of the Year. Deepika (Dhruv Batra Award for Player of the Year. Harjeet Singh (Jugraj Singh Award for Upcoming Player of the Year (Men U-21). Preeti Dubey (Lakra Award for Upcoming Player of the Year (Women U-21). Savita (Baljit Singh Award for Goalkeeper of the Year). Kothajit Singh (Pargat Singh Award for Defender of the Year). Ritu Rani (Ajit Pal Singh Award for Midfielder of the Year). Rani Rampal (Dhanraj Pillay Award for Forward of the Year). Baldev Singh (Jhaman Lal Sharma Award for Invaluable Contribution (for coaches and support staff). MP Academy (Hockey India President Award for Outstanding Achievement).
