Ashok diwan

Hockey India Dhanraj Pillay Award: Indian men's team forward Abhishek is on a high after being nominated for two awards in the Hockey India Annual 2023, which will be presented at a function in New Delhi on Sunday. Abhishek, who enjoyed a tremendous year for his consistent display, has been nominated in two categories -- Hockey India Dhanraj Pillay Award for Forward of the Year 2023 (Men) and Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr. Award for Player of The Year 2023 (Men).

This year's awards ceremony boasts an unprecedented total prize pool of INR 7.56 crore. A total of 32 nominations spanning eight categories have clinched a spot on the shortlist for these annual accolades.

The prestigious awards ceremony will be graced by Hockey legends including Olympians Raghbir Lal, A.S. Bakshi, Harbinder Singh, Ashok Diwan, Zafar Iqbal, Ajit Pal Singh, Romeo James, Jagbir Singh, M.P. Singh, and Vineet Kumar. Hockey India President Dr. Dilip Tirkey, Secretary-General Bhola Nath Singh, and Treasurer Sekar J. Manoharan will be present, along with Hockey India Executive Board Members. Other notable attendees include R. Vineel Krishna, IAS, Commissioner-cum-Secretary DSYS, Odisha; Dr. Atulya Misra, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary to Government of Tamil Nadu, and Meghanath Reddy, IAS, Member Secretary SDAT, Tamil Nadu.