Salima Tete a young talented and phenomenal player of the Women's Hockey India team has received the prestigious Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr. Award for Player of the Year 2023. Her groundbreaking performance on the field and devotion to the sport have been honored with this achievement.
Salima who hails from Jharkhand had participated for the women's team in the Hangzhou Asian Games last year, where the Indian team clinched the bronze medal. She was also recognized in 2023 as the Asian Hockey Federation's Emerging Player of the Year. After she received the prize, Salima expressed her appreciation to her coaches, support staff, and teammates for their constant belief in her. She feels proud to carry the Indian jersey and play on the field which acts as a source of pride, motivating her to continue striving for excellence and making the nation proud.
Along with the women's category, Hardik Singh, the Indian Hockey men's team vice-captain has also won the Player of the Year 2023 award. He had previously won bronze and gold medals at the Tokyo Olympics and Hangzhou Asian Games, respectively, and was also named Hockey India's Best Midfielder of the Year.
The Hockey India Awards organized its 6th edition where prominent players have been acclaimed and honored for their contribution to the sport. Ashok Kumar, a 1972 Olympic medalist, received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to the sport whereas PR Sreejesh was awarded the Goalkeeper of the Year award.
