Ahead of the eighth Hockey India Annual Awards in New Delhi on March 27, young Indian hockey talents Sakshi Rana and Anmol Ekka expressed their pride and excitement at being nominated for esteemed under-21 honors. Anmol is a nominee for the 2025 Hockey India Jugraj Singh Award for Upcoming Player of the Year (Men U21), while Sakshi is in the running for the Hockey India Asunta Lakra Award for Upcoming Player of the Year 2025 (Women – Under 21), recognizing their significant contributions in the past year.
Anmol, who shone at the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu 2025, shared his joy at the nomination, expressing surprise and gratitude for being considered for the award. His standout performance in the tournament, especially in the bronze medal match against Argentina, where he scored a crucial goal from a penalty corner, earned him the ‘Player of the Match’ accolade.
Reflecting on his journey, Anmol sees the nomination as just the beginning and remains focused on continuous improvement to eventually secure a spot in the senior team. He acknowledges areas for growth in his game, particularly in penalty corners, and aims to showcase consistency in his performance to earn a call-up to the senior squad.
Meanwhile, Sakshi Rana, who made her senior team debut last year and later excelled at the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup, has been making waves with her speed and scoring prowess. With two goals in 12 senior appearances and a key role in India’s qualification for the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026, Sakshi’s nomination for the prestigious award recognizes her dedication and talent.
Looking ahead to the upcoming challenges, Sakshi remains focused on her preparation for the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium & Netherlands 2026, emphasizing teamwork, structure, and attention to detail in training. As she continues to push herself and strive for excellence, Sakshi aims to make her family proud by clinching the award and delivering good news to them.
