NEW DELHI, India — Hockey India has congratulated Indian women’s team forward Lalremsiami and men’s team midfielder Rajkumar Pal after the two hockey players were named recipients of the Arjuna Award 2025, recognising their sustained performances and contribution to Indian hockey.
- Lalremsiami and Rajkumar Pal have been named Arjuna Award 2025 recipients.
- The Arjuna Award is India’s second-highest sporting honour.
- Lalremsiami has been a regular member of the women’s national team since her senior debut in 2017.
- Rajkumar Pal was part of India’s bronze-medal-winning men’s hockey team at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Lalremsiami’s journey with Indian hockey
Lalremsiami, who hails from Kolasib in Mizoram, made her senior international debut for India in 2017. She subsequently became an important member of the women’s national side and was part of India’s historic fourth-place finish at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
She has represented India at several major international competitions, including World Cups, Asian Games and Asian Champions Trophy tournaments. Her medal record includes silver at the 2018 Asian Games and bronze at the 2022 Asian Games.
Lalremsiami was also part of India’s gold-medal-winning campaigns at the 2023 and 2024 Asian Champions Trophy. She contributed to India’s Women’s Asia Cup triumph in 2017 and featured in the 2022 and 2026 FIH Hockey Nations Cup campaigns.
Rajkumar Pal recognised for international performances
Rajkumar Pal, from Karampur in Uttar Pradesh, made his international debut in 2020 and has since become part of India’s men’s hockey setup.
He played a role in India’s historic back-to-back Olympic bronze-medal success, including the Paris 2024 Games. Pal has also contributed to India’s performances at the Asian Champions Trophy, including the 2024 gold-medal-winning campaign.
One of his standout performances came during the 2024 tournament in China, when he scored a hat-trick against Malaysia. He was subsequently part of India’s team that won the 2025 Asia Cup in Rajgir, Bihar.
Hockey India hails national recognition
Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey congratulated both players and described the honour as a proud moment for Indian hockey. He highlighted their consistency and commitment to representing the country.
“It is a proud moment for Indian hockey to see Lalremsiami and Rajkumar Pal conferred with the Arjuna Award.”
Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh also praised the players, saying their achievements reflected the growing depth of India’s men’s and women’s hockey programmes.
Two players join long list of hockey awardees
The recognition places Lalremsiami and Rajkumar Pal among several generations of Indian hockey players who have received the Arjuna Award. The honour was introduced in 1961 to recognise outstanding sporting performances.
Recent Indian hockey players on the award’s list include Harmanpreet Singh, Rani, Savita, Sreejesh, Manpreet Singh, Krishan Bahadur Pathak, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh, Sanjay and Salima Tete.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who received the Arjuna Award 2025 from Indian hockey?
Indian women’s team forward Lalremsiami and men’s team midfielder Rajkumar Pal were named recipients of the Arjuna Award 2025.
Why is the Arjuna Award significant for Indian athletes?
The Arjuna Award is India’s second-highest sporting honour and recognises sustained sporting excellence along with qualities such as leadership, sportsmanship and discipline.
Praveen Yadav is the Founder and Content Creator of The Nation Bulletin, an independent digital news platform focused on delivering timely, reliable and meaningful news from India and around the world.
