Hockey India extended its
congratulations to Krishan Bahadur Pathak, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Shivendra
Singh, and Vineet Kumar Sharma for their outstanding achievements and
recognition with prestigious National Sports Awards.
Krishan Bahadur Pathak and Sushila Chanu
Pukhrambam have been awarded Arjuna Award each for outstanding performance in
Sports and Games 2023, while Shivendra Singh has been conferred with
Dronacharya Award for outstanding coaches in Sports and Games 2023.
Also, former Indian Men’s Hockey Team
player Vineet Kumar Sharma has been awarded with Dhyan Chand Award for Lifetime
Achievement in Sports and Games 2023.
Krishan Bahadur Pathak, known for his
exceptional goalkeeping skills, has been an integral part of the Indian hockey
team, displaying unwavering dedication and outstanding performance on the
field.
His relentless pursuit of excellence has
earned him the admiration of fans and peers alike. Pathak played a major role
in India’s victorious campaign at the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Chennai 2023.
Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, a stalwart in
the women’s hockey circuit, has consistently showcased her prowess as a
formidable defender. Her leadership qualities and unwavering commitment have
made her a role model for aspiring athletes across the nation.
Sushila, who’s a veteran with more than
200 international caps, played a key role at the Tokyo Olympics, where India
made it to the semi-finals. She also scored the winning goal against Japan that
brought India the Bronze medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games earlier this year.
Meanwhile, Shivendra Singh, a revered
name in Indian hockey, has seamlessly transitioned from being a formidable
player to an influential member of the coaching staff for the Indian men’s
hockey team.
His journey in the sport has been a
testament to his unwavering dedication, astute understanding of the game, and
deep-rooted passion for hockey. Having been an integral part of the Indian
hockey landscape as a player, Shivendra Singh brings invaluable experience and
insights to his coaching role.
Talking about Vineet Kumar Sharma, the
former Indian Men’s Hockey Team defender was considered one of the lethal
penalty corner hitters in his heydays.
The 63-year-old former star fullback was
part of the New Delhi 1982 and 1986 Seoul Asian Games teams besides featuring
in the 1982 and 1986 World Cups held in Mumbai and London. He also competed at
the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, where the Indian team finished fifth.
Hockey India President Dr Dilip Tirkey
expressed immense pride in the achievements of these awardees, stating, “This
marks an incredible milestone for hockey as we celebrate the well-deserved
recognition bestowed upon two of our esteemed hockey players for their
exceptional achievements in the sport – Krishan Bahadur Pathak and Pukhrambam
Sushila Chanu. Their contributions to the sport have been invaluable, and this
recognition is a testament to their hard work and passion. Also, I would like
to extend my heartfelt wishes to Shivendra Singh for winning the Dronacharya
Award and Vineet Kumar Sharma for bagging the Dhyan Chand Award.”
“All of them have showcased exceptional
talent and dedication, embodying the true spirit of hockey. Hockey India takes
immense pride in their accomplishments and congratulates them on this
well-deserved honour,” he added.
ANI
