The 21-year-old, who hails from Hisar, was also the recipient of a cash prize worth Rs 10,00,000 from Hockey India. A forward who knows her way to goal, Deepika was elated to be recognised for her efforts.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWinning the Hockey India Asunta Lakra Award for Upcoming Player of the Year (Women \u2013 Under 21) is a big milestone in my career. Recognition of this kind is very encouraging for young players like me, and it will motivate us to work harder whenever we take the field. This award is not just mine \u2013 everyone involved in my journey, who have supported me so far played a role in reaching here, and I am truly grateful for this support system,\" she said in a Hockey India release.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Winning the accolade was an emotional milestone for Deepika, as it came in the same year her idol, Savita, was honoured with the Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr. Award for Player of the Year (Women).<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Reflecting on her admiration for Savita, Deepika shared, \u201cAt a very young age, before I even knew sports could be a profession, I would rush to Hisar training centre to celebrate whenever the Indian women\u2019s team returned from an international tournament. Clapping for the players and garlanding stars like Savita, whom I adored, were the most precious moments of my life.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n
She further revealed that after meeting Savita, she wouldn\u2019t let her hockey stick out of sight, often sleeping with it, dreaming of donning the Indian jersey one day. Now that she has achieved that dream, her next big goal is a podium finish at the World Cup and securing India\u2019s first-ever Olympic medal in women\u2019s hockey.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
A bronze medallist at the 2022 Asian Games, Hangzhou and the 2022 Asia Cup, Deepika was instrumental in the Indian team\u2019s gold-winning campaign at the Asian Champions Trophy in Rajgir last year.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Deepika not only scored the only goal in the final against China but also emerged as the tournament\u2019s top scorer with 11 goals. She finished 2024 as the third-highest goalscorer in women\u2019s hockey, netting 17 goals in 26 games - trailing only the Netherlands' Yibbi Jansen (29 goals) and Belgium's Ambre Ballenghien (19 goals). A key member of Harendra Singh\u2019s team, Deepika can\u2019t wait to face the upcoming challenges.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Looking ahead to what is an important year for the Indian women\u2019s side, Deepika is confident that the team can produce the kind of performances that are the need of the hour.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Deepika not only scored the only goal in the final against China but also emerged as the tournament\u2019s top scorer with 11 goals. She finished 2024 as the third-highest goalscorer in women\u2019s hockey, netting 17 goals in 26 games - trailing only the Netherlands' Yibbi Jansen (29 goals) and Belgium's Ambre Ballenghien (19 goals). A key member of Harendra Singh\u2019s team, Deepika can\u2019t wait to face the upcoming challenges.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Also Read: <\/b> Highest tax paying cricketers<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n