Sardar Singh to Receive Padma Shri Award

Indian Hockey Captain Sardar Singh will be awarded with the Padma Shri award on Republic Day tomorrow.

The Padma Shri award is the country’s fourth highest civilian honour after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan.

The Indian hockey team had a great 2014 under the captaincy of Sardar Singh. The Indian team won the Silver medal in Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, the Gold Medal in Asian Games in Incheon, 4th position in the Champions Trophy and winning the test series against Australia in Australia 3-1. Apart from missing out in the FIH World Cup, the team has certainly improved.

Sardar Singh became the youngest player to captain the Indian team when he led the side at the 2008 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup. Sardar Singh made his debut for the senior Indian team in 2006 against Pakistan and since then has made 191 appearances for India. Sardar Singh is also considered as the best centre half player in the world at present.

Sardar Singh became the highest-paid marquee player at the inaugural auctions of the Hockey India League(HIL) as the Delhi franchise Delhi Waveriders bought him for USD 78,000 (

42.49 lakh). He captained his side to a second place finish in its inaugural season and was awarded the ‘Player of the Tournament.’