SSI SportsNational AwardsSSI SPORTS NATIONAL AWARDS · 2024
Join us as we honor the extraordinary champions, trailblazers, and institutions who have redefined Indian sports with their passion, perseverance, and performance.
Celebrating Excellence in Indian Sports
Rising Motorsport Star
Aditya Thakur, a young and dynamic racer from India, has been making waves in the motorsport scene with his remarkable talent and determination.
Starting his journey at a very young age, Aditya developed a passion for speed and precision, which quickly translated into competitive racing. His relentless dedication has made him one of the most promising names in Indian motorsport.
National Swimming Champion
Aneesh S. Gowda is a top Indian swimmer from Bengaluru, Karnataka. He trains at the Basavangudi Aquatic Center and studies law at Christ University.
Specializing in freestyle and medley events, he has won multiple national gold medals, including at the 2024 and 2025 Senior National Aquatic Championships. Aneesh has represented India internationally at events like the Asian Games.
Odisha's Sprint Sensation
Animesh Kujur, a 21-year-old sprinter from Odisha, has quickly risen to national prominence in Indian athletics.
Originally a footballer, he shifted to sprinting during the COVID-19 lockdown. In just two and a half years, Animesh became the second-fastest Indian in the 200m event, recently breaking his own record with a time of 20.65 seconds.
Rising Sprint Star
Lalu Prasad Bhoi, a 21-year-old sprinter from Lanjigarh, Kalahandi in Odisha, is a rising star in Indian athletics.
A commerce student at KISS University, he trains at the Odisha–Reliance Foundation High-Performance Centre. He gained national attention by winning the 100m at the 2024 National Open Athletics Championship with a time of 10.46 seconds.
India's Fastest Woman
Nithya Gandhe, a 24-year-old sprinter from Telangana, has emerged as one of India's top female athletes.
She won gold in the 100m (11.41s) and bronze in the 200m at the Indian Grand Prix-3 in Bengaluru. At the 2024 National Open Athletics Championship, she was crowned the fastest woman with a winning time of 11.57 seconds in the 100m.
Celebrating Excellence in Indian Sports
Ice Hockey Pioneer
Abdul Hakim Giri, born on September 2, 1977, in Ladakh, is the head coach of the Indian Women's Ice Hockey Team and a key figure in the sport's development in India.
A former ice hockey player himself, he later trained abroad to become a certified referee and dedicated coach. He led the Indian women's team to their first-ever international competition in Chinese Taipei, marking a historic milestone.
Celebrating Excellence in Indian Sports
Football Legend
Bruno Coutinho, a football legend from Goa, was one of India's most prominent players in the 1990s.
He first represented India at just 18 during the Asian School Games in Brunei in 1987 and went on to captain the Indian U-23 team. He made his senior international debut in 1989 and later captained the Indian national team, earning the Arjuna Award in 2001.
Sports Journalist
Diptiranjan Samal, an accomplished journalist from Odisha, has steadily ascended in the realm of regional media.
After earning a post-graduate degree in mass communication from Ravenshaw University, he kickstarted his career with Samaya in 2009. He's served in crucial roles across respected outlets before joining Sambad in 2014, where his insightful reporting continues to make an impact.
National Pride
The Indian Men's Hockey Team, currently ranked 5th in the FIH world rankings, continues to be a dominant force in international hockey.
Led by captain Harmanpreet Singh, the team has shown resilience despite challenges. With a strong mix of experienced players and emerging talents, India aims to reclaim its past glory and strengthen its position on the global stage.
Olympic Weightlifting Icon
Karnam Malleswari is a former Indian weightlifter and a trailblazer in Indian sports history.
She became the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal, securing a bronze in the 69 kg category at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Her remarkable achievements earned her the prestigious Arjuna Award in 1994 and the Padma Shri in 1999.
At the SSI Sports National Awards 2024, we celebrate the heroes behind the headlines — the athletes, coaches, and institutions who inspire us to dream bigger, run faster, and aim higher.
© 2024 SSI Sports National Awards. All rights reserved.
ATHLETES TODAY. A BRIGHTER INDIA TOMORROW.
