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The fifth Indian Sports Honours (ISH) on November 9 in Mumbai celebrated India’s top athletes, recognizing outstanding achievements in events like the Olympics, Paralympics, and Asian Games.
NEW DELHI: The fifth edition of the Indian Sports Honours (ISH) took place on November 9 in Mumbai, spotlighting the extraordinary achievements of India’s finest athletes across diverse disciplines. Organized by Cornerstone Sport, the event brought together prominent sports stars, officials, and celebrities to honour outstanding performances in the Olympics, Paralympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and other key arenas.
Manu Bhaker, a celebrated shooter, won Sportswoman of the Year in Individual Sports. Her stellar performance at the Paris Olympics, where she secured two bronze medals in the 10-meter air pistol events, solidified her reputation as a top contender on the global stage. This marked her second ISH recognition, following her Emerging Sportswoman of the Year award in 2019. Bhaker expressed gratitude to her supporters, saying, “This award is not just mine; it’s for my family, my coaches, and everyone who believed in me.”
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Neeraj Chopra, India’s javelin prodigy, bagged the Sportsman of the Year in Individual Sports for his remarkable consistency. Chopra clinched silver medals at the Paris Olympics and the Diamond League in Brussels this year. Upon receiving the honour, Chopra credited his team for his success and expressed pride in representing India.
In team sports, cricket star Smriti Mandhana and hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh shone brightly. Mandhana, lauded as Sportswoman of the Year in Team Sports, was recognized for her contributions to Indian cricket and the Women’s Premier League. Meanwhile, Singh, instrumental in India’s hockey bronze at the Paris Olympics, won Sportsman of the Year in Team Sports.
The complete list of winners includes Neeraj Chopra (Sportsman of the Year – Individual Sport), Manu Bhaker (Sportswoman of the Year – Individual Sport), Harmanpreet Singh (Sportsman of the Year – Team Sport), and Smriti Mandhana (Sportswoman of the Year – Team Sport). Other honorees included Jaspal Rana and Suma Shirur as Coaches of the Year, the Indian Hockey Team as Male Team of the Year, and the Indian Chess Team as Female Team of the Year. Para-athletes Sumit Antil and Avani Lekhara were also recognized for their exceptional achievements. The event also honoured Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shreyanka Patil for breakthrough performances, Kolkata Knight Riders as Club of the Year, and Manjappada as Fan Club of the Year.
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The Lifetime Achievement Honour went to Padma Shri Murlikant Petkar, while Mrida Education University received recognition for grassroots initiatives. The jury, chaired by Olympic gold medalist Abhinav Bindra, included renowned figures like P.T. Usha, Vijender Singh, Yogeshwar Dutt, and Anjali Bhagwat.
Bindra emphasized the self-belief of today’s athletes, describing their confidence as “amazing to watch.” However, he highlighted the lack of playgrounds in many schools, urging grassroots-level improvements to sustain India’s sports trajectory.
The Indian Sports Honours continue to serve as a platform to celebrate and inspire, reflecting the rising dominance of Indian athletes on the global stage. The recognition bestowed upon these athletes underscores the nation’s evolving sports culture and commitment to excellence.
