Hockey, one of the most important games of India, retained its high status at the Indian Newslink Indian Sports Awards this year, with the top two honours going to the existing champions of the game.
Arun Panchi and Shareena Nana also retained their respective titles of ‘Best Sportsman’ and ‘Best Sportswoman’ of the Year at the Awards Night presentation ceremony held on Saturday, April 6, 2013.
The event, which included speeches and entertainment, was held at ASB Stadium in the elegant suburb of Kohimarama, attracting more than 300 guests, drawn from various sporting fields, including Boxing, a category introduced this year.
A detailed report, along with photographs, appears in our Awards Special as a part of Sportslink in this issue.
National Sport
Hockey is the National Sport of India, although Cricket has been a growing favourite among men, women and children throughout the country over the past four decades.
However, there is renewed interest for Hockey, which also has a large following in New Zealand.
Arun and Shareena (both midfielders) are role models for the Indian community. They have come through the strong grassroots structure provided by New Zealand Hockey, in conjunction with their local clubs.
These two achievers have risen up the ranks to bring laurels for the country, and in the process, making people of Indian descent proud.
Their success is proof that New Zealand sport follows transparency in its selection process. Talent will not go unrewarded, be it in the local club environment, the national scene or at international levels.
Indian Newslink Indian Sports Awards have been launched to motivate talented sportspersons and acknowledge the contribution made by their families, peers, officials and others in helping them reach their goals.
The Awards also showcase the achievements of sportspeople before a wider audience in New Zealand, making the winners feel that special and proud.
We believe that their success stories would inspire and attract other younger members of the community to take up sports as the means to further their talent and remain physically and mentally fit.
Arun and Shareena, recipients of the Awards for the second successive year would encourage them to achieve greater heights in professional Hockey.
Arun Panchi, Supreme Sportsman of the Year
Shareena Nana, Supreme Sportswoman of the Year
