Key Highlights
- P.R. Sreejesh and Manu Bhaker each secured the premier ‘Sportstar of the Year’ honors for men and women respectively.
- Both Indian men’s and women’s chess squads were celebrated as National Teams of the Year after winning gold at the 45th Chess Olympiad.
- Swapnil Kusale added a bronze medal from Paris 2024 to his Sportsman‑of‑the‑Year trophy.
- The Mumbai Ranji Trophy champions earned the Club/State Team of the Year accolade.
- Downtown Heroes FC received a special Chairperson’s Choice award for advancing football in Kashmir.
Detailed Insights
The ceremony unfolded at Mumbai’s historic Taj Mahal Palace on 14 February 2025, gathering athletes, administrators and media dignitaries. P.R. Sreejesh, fresh from captaining India’s bronze‑medal hockey campaign at the Paris Olympics and announcing his retirement, was presented the male Sportstar of the Year trophy by Binod Mishra and tennis icon Leander Paes. He praised the Hockey India League’s role in nurturing talent and reflected on the nation’s Olympic resurgence.
Shooter Manu Bhaker emerged as the night’s standout female honoree, clinching both Sportstar of the Year (Female) and Sportswoman of the Year titles. Her double‑medal haul at the Paris Games, combined with a heartfelt dedication to her father and coach, were highlighted by ICC chairman Jay Shah during the presentation.
In the shooting discipline, Swapnil Kusale received the Sportsman of the Year award following his Olympic bronze, while young sharpshooter Parth Manek was acknowledged as the Male Young Achiever.
Chess teams from both genders were lauded for their gold‑medal performance at the 45th Chess Olympiad, earning the National Team of the Year award. The Mumbai cricket contingent, captained by seasoned Ranji champion Dhawal Kulkarni, secured the Club/State Team of the Year trophy.
Beyond mainstream sports, Downtown Heroes FC from Srinagar was honored for leveraging football as a conduit for social good in Kashmir. The award, presented by Nirmala Lakshman of The Hindu Group, underscored the impact of sport on community development.
Additional recognitions spanned corporate, governmental and educational spheres, with titles such as Best State for Promotion of Sports (Madhya Pradesh), Best Corporate for Promotion of Sports (Reliance) and Lifetime Achievement Awards bestowed upon veteran hockey figures Gurbux Singh and Mary D’Souza Sequeira.