Anmol Ekka, Sakshi Rana react to nominations for Hockey India 8th Annual Awards 2025

Story by ANI | Posted by Vidushi Gaur | Date 26-03-2026

Young Indian hockey players Sakshi Rana

New Delhi

Young Indian hockey players Anmol Ekka and Sakshi Rana have expressed pride and excitement after earning nominations for top under-21 honours ahead of the eighth edition of the Hockey India Annual Awards, set to be held on March 27 in the national capital.

Anmol Ekka has been shortlisted for the Hockey India Jugraj Singh Award, while Sakshi Rana is in contention for the Hockey India Asunta Lakra Award. Their nominations come on the back of impressive performances over the past year.

Reacting to the recognition, Ekka said he was thrilled and did not expect to see his name among the nominees. The 20-year-old defender made a strong impact at the FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu 2025 in Chennai, where he scored four goals, all from penalty corners. His standout moment came in the bronze medal match against Argentina, where his goal secured India a podium finish and earned him the Player of the Match award.

Ekka described the tournament as a valuable learning experience and a reward for his hard work. Looking ahead, he emphasised his desire to refine his skills and maintain consistency, with the ultimate goal of breaking into the senior national team.

Meanwhile, 18-year-old forward Sakshi Rana has also been gaining attention with her performances. She made her senior debut last year and later served as vice-captain of the junior team at the FIH Hockey Women's Junior World Cup City of Santiago, where she scored three goals.

In her early senior career, Rana has netted twice in 12 appearances and contributed to India’s qualification for the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium & Netherlands 2026.

Reflecting on her journey, Rana credited consistent hard work for her progress and said the nomination was a motivating moment, reaffirming that her efforts are being recognised. She added that her focus now is on improving her game, especially her decision-making and control in midfield, as the team prepares for upcoming international challenges.