Sreejesh and Rani Rampal corner TOISA Awards
New Delhi, 8 May 2015: Adding another feather in the hat, the Indian Men Hockey Team’s goalkeeper PR Sreejesh and Women’s team striker Rani Rampal received the Hockey Player of the Year Award 2014 during the Times of India Sports Award (TOISA) yesterday at a glittering ceremony at Hyatt, Gurgaon.
Both the players were awarded for their brilliant and consistent performance through-out the year 2014.
The 26-year-old Kerala player started with the Junior National team in 2004 in a match against Australia at Perth and was awarded with the ‘Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament’ at the 2008 Junior Asia Cup. He made his debut in the Indian Men team in 2006 and since then there is no looking back for him. He became a permanent member since 2011, after his match winning performance where he saved two crucial penalty strokes against Pakistan during the Asian Champions Trophy Final.
Rani Rampal has to her credit of being the only Indian to be nominated for the FIH Women’s Young Player of the Year Award, 2010. She was even adjudged the “Best Young Player of the Tournament” award at the Women’s Hockey World Cup 2010, recognizing her stellar performance as the top field goal scorer in the tournament.
She played a huge role in winning the silver medal for the Indian team in the Asia Cup held in Nov 2009. After playing with India’s national team at 2010 Commonwealth Games and 2010 Asian Games, Rani Rampal was included in the FIH Women’s All Star Team of 2010.
Congratulating PR Sreejesh and Rani Rampal, Mohd Mushtaque Ahmad, Secretary General, Hockey India said, “Hockey India is proud of both the players for being awarded for the Best Hockey Player by the Times of India Sports Awards. They have contributed a lot to their respective teams and are considered a big asset to their teams. We are very delighted to see hockey players getting awarded for their performance and Hockey India takes pride in congratulating PR Sreejesh and Rani Rampal for their achievements.”
A very proud Sreejesh said, “It is a great honour for me as well as the Indian Men Team. I am grateful to TOISA for recognising my efforts. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Hockey India, my team-mates and coaching staff for giving me continuous support, which always boosts my confidence.”
A delighted Rani Rampal post receiving the award said “I am delighted and proud and this award means a lot to me as well as the game of Hockey. With this award comes the responsibility to keep this good work going and I am looking forward to future challenges”.