India’s striker Akashdeep Singh has shortlisted for the Rising star of the year award by FIH for his excellent performances for the team.
He will compete against Christopher Ruhr of Germany, Blake Govers of Australia, Shane O Donoghue of Ireland and Sukhi Panesar of Canada. Akashdeep played a key role in India’s bronze medal victory over Netherlands in the recently concluded Hockey World League finals in Raipur.
The 21-year-old young striker from Punjab made his debut for India in 2013 and represented India at 2014 World at Netherlands and was a part of the gold medal-winning team at the Incheon Asian Games as they defeated Pakistan to win the gold medal after 16 years. With that win, India qualified for the Rio Olympic Games in 2016.
In September 2015, Akashdeep Singh was the top Indian pick at the Hockey India League Auctions and was purchased Uttar Pradesh Wizards for a whopping $84,000(Rs 55,56,247)
The voting will be open till January 20th, 2016.
If Akashdeep emerges the winner he will the first Indian to do so. Here are the previous winners.
- 2014- Gonzalo Pellat(Argentina)
- 2013-Christopher Ruhr (Germany)
- 2012- Florian Fuchs(Germany)
- 2011- Mathew Swann(Australia)
- 2010- Tobias Hauke(Germany)
- 2009- Ashely Jackson(England)
- 2008- Eddie Ockedon(Australia)
- 2007- Mark Knowles(Australia)
- 2006- Christopher Zeller(Germany)
- 2005- Robert Van Der Horst(Netherlands)
- 2004- Santi Freza(Spain)
- 2003- Grant Schubert( Australia)
- 2002- Jamie Dwyer(Australia)
- 2001- Tibor Weissenborn(Germany)