The 28-year-old midfielder Sardar has played a pivotal role
for India
and his skilful game which has even inspired the new generation of hockey
players across the world. Sardar made his debut for the senior team
against Pakistan
in 2006 and since then he has played more than 200 international matches and
has successfully contributed towards Indian hockey. Sardar is also the
most sought player in the prestigious Hockey India League.
Saba on the other hand was one of the most prominent forwards
and represented India
during the Asian Games in 2002, Asia Cup in 2004, Commonwealth Games in 2002 and 2006, and Junior World Cup
in 2001. Saba even had been conferred with the
Chhattisgarh's top Gundadhur sports award for bring honour to her state in the
field of sports.
Congratulating both of them, Dr. Narinder Dhruv Batra,
President, Hockey India said, “Hockey
India
is extremely delighted for both Sardar Singh as well as Saba Anjum
for being conferred with the Padma Shri Award. Since his debut, Sardar has
brought many laurels to the team and Indian Hockey. As a a captain, he is a
hero and a mentor to whom young players look upto and learn the tricks of
the game. Hockey India takes
utmost pride in congratulating Sardar and wishes him all the best for the
upcoming tournaments and hope to see him bringing more laurels for Team India
and thereby continues to make the country proud of him.
As for Saba she was once
regarded as one of the most prominent forward in the world of Hockey and seeing
her play on the field many girls picked up the hockey stick. She has always
made me proud with hey play and I am happy her efforts on the field have found
recognition through this prestigious award.”
A delighted and proud captain Sardar Singh said, “Receiving
the Padma Shri Award is a great honour for me and I would take this opportunity
to thank Hockey India
for giving me the support which boosted my morale and that shows on the
field. Also, credit of my success goes to the coaches who have mentored and
guided me during my journey in hockey. I am proud to have been conferred
with this award and will work harder to get more laurels for Team India .”
A very happy Saba Anjum said “I am honoured today for
being chosen for this prestigious award. I have no word to show my happiness
but I would like to thank the Government of India for recognizing my efforts,
Hockey India
and my family for all their support”.
Sardar was appointed as the captain of the Indian hockey
team in 2008 for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup at the age of 22 years where India
finished 2nd in the tournament and bagged the Silver medal. In 2010,
Sardar Singh was nominated for the FIH All-Star team being the sole Indian to
get the honour and a feat that was repeated again in 2012. In 2014, Sardar
led India to a Silver medal
finish in the 2014 Commonwealth Games at Glasgow
and in the same year, Sardar steered his team to win the Incheon Asian
Games Gold beating Pakistan
in a highly-tensed finale and this feat of winning the Gold was achieved by the
Indian team after 16 years. In the same year the India Hockey Team
even beat Australia
in a Test Series at home and also finished at a respectable fourth position in
the Hero Men’s Champions Trophy 2014.
In the 15 year long international career, Saba
has to her credit of being a part of the team which won the bronze at 2006 Doha
Asian Games. She is also known for striking six goals including the
winning one in the final of Shastri Cup 2007 and went on to being the player of
the tournament in the series.
HI Press release
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