CHANDIGARH:It was not in the last bit surprising as John-John Dohmen won the Men’s Player of the Year Award at the Hockey Stars’ Awards ceremony here on Thursday.
The country’s famous 10-year hockey programme culminated with a fine silver at the Rio Games and the awards duly recognised their status as a superpower. Apart from Dohmen, young compatriot Arthur van Doren, who also played a part at the Olympics, walked away with the Rising Star award. In a theme, the Great Britain women’s team, who won the Olympics, have also been recognised. Both their coaches won awards with goalkeeper Maddie Hinch also winning a gong.
“I have always dreamt of winning this and to finally get my hands on this is wonderful,” she said. When you take into consideration that they have managed to turn around their entire structure in two years — the women’s team finished in 11th place at the last World Cup in 2014 — it’s even more astonishing. Hinch attributes the change to a frank conversation after that tournament. “The team did have a tough talk after the World Cup. It just wasn’t acceptable.”
Harmanpreet Singh (rising stars category) and PR Sreejesh (goalkeeper) were the only Indians nominated.
Winners
FIH Player of the Year: Men: John-John Dohmen (Belgium), Women: Naomi Van As (Netherlands). Goalkeeper: Men: David Harte (Ireland), Women: Maddie Hinch (Great Britain). Rising Star: Men: Arthur Van Doren (Belgium), Women: Maria Granatto (Argentina). Coach: Men: Danny Kenny (Great Britain), Women: Karen Brown (Great Britain). Umpire: Men: Christian Blasch (Germany), Women: Laurine Delforge (Belgium).