Muscat, 08 November 2024: Following a vote by an Expert Panel, National Associations – represented by their respective national teams’ captains and coaches – fans and media, Yibbi Jansen (Netherlands) and Harmanpreet Singh (India) have been awarded the FIH Players of the year 2024 during the gala night of the 49th FIH Statutory Congress in Oman!
While Ye Jiao of China and PR Sreejesh of India won the FIH Goalkeepers of the Year awards, the awards for FIH Rising Stars went to Zoe Díaz of Argentina and Sufyan Khan of Pakistan.
For the second year in a row China women’s head coach Alyson Annan (Australia) has been awarded the FIH Coach of the Year award in the women’s category, while Jeroen Delmee (Netherlands) wins the FIH Coach of the Year award in the men’s category.
Sarah Wilson of Scotland and Steve Rogers of Australia won the FIH Umpire of the Year award in the women’s and men’s category respectively.
FIH Best Player of the Year (voted by Expert Panel, National Associations – represented by their respective national teams’ captains and coaches -, fans and media)
Women – Yibbi Jansen was a thoroughly deserving winner of the award after starring at the Paris 2024 Olympics where she led Netherlands to yet another gold medal, scoring 9 goals along the way including the leveller in the gold medal match, with less than 10 minutes to go in the match, to get her team back in the contest and eventually to the top step of the podium.
At just 24, Jansen is already one of the most accomplished players in hockey and already leads the list of all-time top goal scorers in the FIH Hockey Pro League! As the performances continue to improve, sky’s the limit for the prodigiously talented Dutch drag flicker.
Asked about the pivotal moment in the gold medal match at Paris 2024, Yibbi Jansen said: “First off, thank you for having me here and for this award. It has been great to meet everyone who works behind the scenes to make all the hockey events possible worldwide. The Olympic Gold was always the biggest dream of my life and this summer that dream came true. Thank you to my teammates who all worked so hard for us to make this dream a reality. With 10 minutes left in the game and trailing, it was nervous moments. But we have been working so hard for so long and we are all really close to each other, on and off the field, so we always had faith in each other that we could overturn it and win. So thanks to them for everything!”
Men – Harmanpreet Singh was the standout player amongst the men’s nominees, receiving the most votes across all categories of voters. Much like Yibbi Jansen in the women’s competition, Indian captain Harmanpreet Singh led the scoring charts at the Paris 2024 Olympics with 10 goals including goals in the quarterfinal, semi-final and both goals in the bronze medal match against Spain, which India won 2-1 to secure their second consecutive podium finish at the Olympics!
Harmanpreet was also a crucial cog in the Indian team that had broken their 41 year podium drought at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. He has previously won the FIH Player of the Year award on two occasions in 2020-21 and in 2021-22. The third one might just be the most precious one however, given it’s been won while leading his country for the first time, after taking over captaincy in 2023, and leading his team to an Olympic medal in his first attempt!
Speaking about the celebrations back home after he captained his side to a second consecutive medal at the Olympics, Harmanpreet Singh said: “First off, I would like to thank FIH for this great honour. After the Olympics it was so great to go back home and have such huge crowds there to greet us and welcome us. It was a very very special feeling. I would like to mention my teammates, none of this would have been possible without you all. Special thanks to Hockey India as well for always giving us every opportunity to succeed at all levels. My wife and daughter are here today and receiving this award in front of them means the world to me. So thank you to everyone who made that possible!”
Women – Ye Jiao has been a brick wall for China as they went from strength to strength in international hockey over the past year. Her performances at the Paris 2024 Olympics also stood out as China got to within 10 minutes of winning the gold medal, finally ending up with a remarkable silver medal, their first Olympic medal since winning silver at Beijing 2008, and only their second ever Olympic hockey medal!
As she received her award, Ye Jiao said: “I would like to thank FIH for giving me this award. This is the centennial year of the FIH and to receive this award in this year is extra special. I would also like to thank those who support me, especially those back in China, my teammates, coaches and everyone who is present here today, joining me in this most special moment of my life. My teammates and I will work even harder and we will try to achieve even more over the coming years.”
Men – PR Sreejesh brought an end to his stellar career at the Paris 2024 Olympics, by adding a second Olympic medal to his trophy cabinet and now he gets to add a third FIH Goalkeeper of the Year award as well, having previously won the award in 2020-21 and 2021-22. Sreejesh bid adieu to hockey at the highest level, putting together an incredible Olympic campaign, that included a mammoth performance in the quarterfinal win for India over Great Britain, where they played most of the match with 10 players!
Much like his compatriot Harmanpreet Singh, Sreejesh received the most votes across all categories of voters!
Thanking those that have helped him along his wonderful career, PR Srejeesh said: “I am so happy today. Thank you for this last playing honour of my playing career. As most people know, Paris 2024 was the last tournament I played for my country and I just want to thank Hockey India for all the support and guidance offered over all the years I have played the sport. This award completely belongs to my team, the defence who made sure most attacks never got to me, and the midfielders and forwards who covered up my mistakes by scoring more goals than I conceded.”
FIH Rising Star of the Year (voted by Expert Panel, National Associations – represented by their respective national teams’ captains and coaches -, fans and media)
Women – Zoe Díaz has solidified her status as one of Argentina’s brightest hockey talents over the past year. A key player for Las Leonas, Díaz was instrumental in Argentina’s bronze medal victory at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Her outstanding defensive skills and game awareness helped Argentina overcome strong competition, particularly in the bronze medal match where they triumphed over Germany. Beyond the Olympics, Díaz continued to shine in the FIH Hockey Pro League, consistently delivering standout performances that contributed to Argentina’s continued high standing in international hockey.
As she received her award, Zoe Díaz said: “I am really happy to have won this award. It was tough to play at the highest level during the past year, especially the Olympics and I am very emotional about all that we achieved. I would like to dedicate this award to my family, especially my mother who is here in Oman to support me. So congratulations to her as well!”
Men – Sufyan Khan has rapidly emerged as one of Pakistan’s most exciting young hockey talents, with an impressive goalscoring record of 24 goals in just 48 games at a young age. Khan’s lethal finishing and attacking prowess were on full display during the FIH Hockey Nations Cup, Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2024, and the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers, where he consistently found the back of the net, boosting Pakistan’s performances on the global stage. His standout showing at the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Moqi China 2024 further highlighted his potential, as Khan’s critical goals helped Pakistan advance deep into the tournament. As Pakistan rebuilds its hockey legacy, Khan has quickly become a vital player, showing maturity beyond his years and a knack for delivering in high-pressure moments.
Asked about how he sees his future in the Pakistan team, Sufyan Khan said: “First I would like to thank God for all that I have been able to achieve with the team and also my family who have always supported me. Pakistan has a great history in the world of hockey having achieved so many medals at the World Cups and Olympics, I would like to say to the fans back home that we will always aim to take us back to those glory days and I am sure those days are coming soon. I would also like to thank my teammates who have always supported me in my young career.”
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