In a significant recognition of their exceptional talent and contributions to the sport, Xan de Waard of the Netherlands and Hardik Singh of India have been named the 2023 FIH Players of the Year. The awards, determined through a voting process involving an Expert Panel, National Associations, fans, and media, reflect their outstanding performances and influence in the field of hockey.
Xan de Waard (Netherlands) – FIH Female Player of the Year
Xan de Waard’s remarkable skills and leadership qualities have been instrumental in her recognition as the FIH Female Player of the Year. Not typically known for scoring goals, de Waard’s ability to set the tone for the world’s No.1 hockey team has been pivotal. At 28, having played over 200 matches, she has already made a significant mark in the sport and continues to have a promising future ahead.
Hardik Singh (India) – FIH Male Player of the Year
Hardik Singh’s rise in Indian hockey has been meteoric. With 114 caps to his name, Singh has become a key figure in the Indian team, especially noted for his role in India’s bronze medal win at the 2020 Olympics. His recent recognition as the FIH Male Player of the Year, coupled with the Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr. Award for Player of the Year 2022, underscores his significant contributions to the team. Known for his dynamic presence in the midfield, the 25-year-old vice-captain of the Indian men’s hockey team is on a trajectory to becoming a legend in the sport.
Other Notable Awards
- FIH Goalkeepers of the Year:
- Female: Savita (India) received her third consecutive FIH Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year Award. Her exceptional form throughout 2023, including performances in the Test matches in Australia and the Asian Games, played a crucial role in India winning the Asian Champions Trophy in October. Savita is also expected to help India qualify for the Paris Olympics.
- Male: Dutch goalkeeper Pirmin Blaak, though not detailed in the quoted information, would have been recognized for his similarly outstanding performances in the men’s category.
- FIH Coaches of the Year:
- Female: Alyson Annan (Australia), the current head coach of the Chinese women’s hockey team, was awarded for guiding China to a historic Asian Games gold medal this year, thus securing their place at Paris 2024. Annan, a former top-notch forward and coach of the Dutch team, joined the Chinese team in May 2022, making significant strides in their development.
- Male: André Henning (Germany), the men’s head coach of Germany, was recognized, reflecting his notable achievements and leadership in coaching.
- FIH Umpires of the Year:
- Female: Ayanna McClean from Trinidad and Tobago, the highest-ranked female umpire from the Caribbean, has officiated in more than 230 international matches, including the last Olympics in Tokyo and the 2022 FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup. She is also set to officiate at the upcoming Olympic Games Paris 2024.
- Male: Ben Göntgen (Germany) was awarded in the male category, acknowledging his excellence and contributions as an umpire in men’s hockey.
- FIH Rising Stars of the Year:
- Female: Teresa Lima from Spain, at 18 years old, was the star of the recently concluded FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup 2023. Despite her team finishing eighth, Lima’s electrifying performance on the field marked her as a significant upcoming talent in women’s hockey.
- Male: Gaspard Xavier from France was recognized for his impressive performances in the men’s category, marking him as a promising young talent in hockey.
These awards underscore the global talent and diverse representation in the sport of hockey, highlighting the achievements of individuals from various countries across different roles within the sport.
