Hockey India has extended heartfelt congratulations to two stalwarts of the sport. Savita Punia and Baldev Singh have been honoured with the prestigious Padma Shri award. This recognition celebrates their exceptional contributions to Indian hockey and sports overall.
Savita Punia is a legend of Indian women’s hockey. She debuted at the senior international level at the young age of twenty. Since then, she has risen to become one of the top goalkeepers in the world.
Her calmness, reliability, and leadership have been central to India’s rise. Over the last decade, she has been a pillar of strength for the team. Her presence has been transformative for Indian women’s hockey.
In 2025, Savita achieved a remarkable milestone. She became only the second Indian goalkeeper, after PR Sreejesh, to reach 300 international caps. This feat highlights her enduring skill and remarkable consistency at the elite level.
Her contributions have been pivotal in historic moments. She played a key role in India’s fourth-place finish at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. That achievement significantly raised the global profile of Indian women’s hockey.
Her experience was also crucial during the Rio 2016 Olympics. She was instrumental again at the 2018 Hockey Women’s World Cup, where India advanced to the Quarter-Finals. Savita’s leadership has consistently guided the team to success.
As a former captain, she led the team to a Bronze medal at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games. The team also secured victory at the FIH Nations Cup under her guidance. Her influence continued with consecutive Gold medals at the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy in 2023 and 2024.
Savita’s excellence has been recognised with numerous awards. She received the Arjuna Award in 2018. She has also won the Hockey India Balbir Singh Senior Award for Player of the Year twice.
Her goalkeeping prowess is world-renowned. Savita earned the FIH Goalkeeper of the Year award for three consecutive seasons. This honour underscores her status as a global star.
Baldev Singh, a former Indian international, is equally deserving of this Padma Shri honour. He is recognised for his exceptional contributions as both a player and a coach. His legacy in Indian hockey is profound.
As a player, he competed for India at the 1976 Montreal Olympics. Baldev Singh also participated in three Hockey World Cups. He won a Bronze medal in 1971 and a Silver medal in 1973.
He further added Silver medals from the Asian Games in 1970 and 1974. After retiring, Baldev Singh transitioned into a highly influential coaching role. He has mentored countless players who went on to represent India.
His notable proteges include Olympic medalist Sandeep Singh and former captain Rani Rampal. Other players like Didar Singh and Navjot Kaur also benefited from his guidance. For his coaching contributions, he was awarded the Dronacharya Award in 2009.
Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey expressed immense pride. He stated that Savita has redefined goalkeeping standards in world hockey. Her achievement of over 300 international caps speaks volumes about her dedication.
Tirkey also praised Baldev Singh’s unparalleled legacy. He noted that generations of players have benefited from his knowledge and vision. This Padma Shri honour is a fitting tribute to their service.
Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh highlighted Savita’s inspiring journey. He said her achievements continue to motivate young athletes across the country. Her story is one of pure dedication and perseverance.
He also commended Baldev Singh for his lifelong devotion to nurturing talent. Singh stated this honour recognises decades of selfless service to the sport. It is a moment of celebration for the entire hockey community.
