Indian hockey player P.R. Sreejesh receives ‘Sportstar of the year (male)’ award in Mumbai on February 14, 2025
| Photo Credit: RITU RAJ KONWAR
Indian hockey legend P.R. Sreejesh and ace shooter Manu Bhaker hogged the limelight in the 2025 Sportstar Aces Awards held at the Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai on Friday (February 14, 2024).
Sreejesh, who played a key role in the nation’s bronze medal win at the 2024 Paris Olympics, won the ‘Sportstar of the year (male)’ award.
Sreejesh received the award from Binod Mishra, Deputy Managing Director, State Bank Of India, and tennis legend Leander Paes.
Sreejesh, among the best goalkeepers India has ever produced, retired from the sport after the Paris Olympics. “It is quite hard to comprehend that I am now a former player. Everywhere I go now, people call me former player and coach. This is very new to me,” Sreejesh said .
Manu Bhaker receives the awards from ICC chairman Jay Shah.
| Photo Credit:
R.V. MOORTHY
“The Indian team’s back-to-back Olympics medals at Tokyo and Paris has given hockey a big boost. The Hockey India League has also given a great platform to young Indian players,” Sreejesh said.
“To see my face on the cover of the Sportstar magazine recently will serve as great motivation for young hockey players. It was my childhood dream to be on the cover of Sportstar magazine,” Sreejesh added.
Shooter Swapnil Kusale, who won a bronze at the Paris Games, took home the ‘Sportsman of the year’ award.
Manu, who claimed two medals at the Paris Olympics, won the ‘Sportstar of the year (female)’ award. Manu also won the ‘Sportswoman of the year’ award.
“I’m very happy to win this award. I would like to thank my father and my coach. The last time I attended this awards function was in 2019. I had come to the function straight from the shooting range. Not much has changed. My coach flew straight here tonight from the range,” Manu said.
“The last time I won the best emerging athlete award, and this time is even better. I will try my best to work even harder in future and win
more medals for India,” Manu added.
Glory for Chess teams
The Indian men’s chess team and women’s chess team won the ‘National team of the year’ award. At the 45th Chess Olympiad, the Indian men’s and women’s teams both won gold medals.
Mumbai, the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy champion, won the ‘Club/State team of the year’ award. Ajinkya Naik, Mumbai Cricket Association President, and five-time Ranji Trophy champion Dhawal Kulkarni collected the award.
Nirmala Lakshman, Chairperson, The Hindu Group, presented the ‘Chairperson’s choice (Sports for social good)’ award to Srinagar football club Downtown Heroes FC. Kaiser Bhat, Mushtaq Bashir and Hinan Manzoor, co-founders of Downtown Heroes FC, received the award.
Published – February 14, 2025 10:23 pm IST