FIH Awards 2024: Yibbi Jansen And Harmanpreet Singh Named Players Of The Year; PR Sreejesh Voted Best Goalkeeper

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At the 49th FIH Statutory Congress held in Oman, the hockey community came together to celebrate the exceptional talents in the sport for the year 2024. Among those honoured were Yibbi Jansen from the Netherlands and Harmanpreet Singh from India, who were named the FIH Players of the Year.

Their achievements were recognised through a voting process that included an Expert Panel, National Associations (including captains and coaches), fans, and media contributions.

Harmanpreet Singh-Yibbi Jansen Bag Top FIH Honours

Adding to the accolades, Ye Jiao from China and PR Sreejesh from India were awarded the FIH Goalkeepers of the Year, showcasing their pivotal roles in their teams' successes.

Both Zoe Díaz of Argentina and Sufyan Khan of Pakistan were celebrated as the rising stars of hockey, receiving accolades for their contributions to their national teams and promising futures in the sport.

Hockey Coaches of the Year 2024

On the coaching front, Alyson Annan and Jeroen Delmee were respectively recognized for their outstanding leadership. Annan, coaching China's women's team, and Delmee, leading the Netherlands men's team, have both guided their squads to remarkable achievements, including Olympic gold for Delmee's team, a first since 2000, and a historic silver at the Paris 2024 Olympics under Annan's guidance.

The importance of fair play and quality officiating in hockey was also highlighted through the recognition of umpires Sarah Wilson and Steve Rogers. Wilson, from Scotland, and Rogers, from Australia, were commended for their exceptional service in officiating, including Rogers' role in the men's gold medal match at Paris 2024 and Wilson's contributions to breaking barriers for women in sports officiating.

Yibbi Jansen's Memorable Year

Yibbi Jansen's performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics was a standout, leading the Netherlands to a gold medal and etching her name as one of the top scorers in the history of the FIH Hockey Pro League.

Harmanpreet Singh Shines at FIH Awards 2024

In a similar vein, Harmanpreet Singh, captain of the Indian team, was instrumental in securing India's second consecutive Olympic podium finish, showcasing his leadership and skill on the global stage. Team India won a bronze medal at Paris Olympics 2024, where Harmanpreet was also the top goal-scorer in the tournament with 10 goals.

The defensive prowess of Zoe Díaz played a crucial role in Argentina's bronze medal victory at the Paris 2024 Olympics, with her continued excellence in the FIH Hockey Pro League. Meanwhile, Sufyan Khan has made a name for himself as a key player for Pakistan, contributing significantly to the team's performance in international competitions.

Best Goalkeepers of 2024

Ye Jiao's exceptional goalkeeping led China to a historic moment—securing their first Olympic hockey medal since 2008 with a silver at the Paris 2024 Olympics. PR Sreejesh, an iconic figure in Indian hockey, concluded his illustrious career with a third FIH Goalkeeper of the Year award, having been a mainstay in India's defence during his final Olympic appearance.

These awards not only celebrate the individual excellence of the recipients but also highlight the global nature of hockey and its diverse talent pool. From players to coaches and umpires, each award recipient has contributed significantly to the sport, demonstrating the breadth of talent and dedication that exists within the hockey community.