Lausanne: India continued to draw a blank as Netherlands’ Eva de Goede and Arthur Van Doren of Belgium were named as the International Hockey Federation’s (FIH) ‘Players of the Year’ for 2018 here Thursday. Since the inception of the awards in 1998, no Indian player has managed to bag the coveted awards.
While de Goede, 29, was named the ‘Female Player of the Year’, World Champions Belgium’s Van Doren, 24, was picked up as the ‘Male Player of the Year’ for a second consecutive time. Last year Van Doren had claimed both the ‘Player and Rising Star of the Year Awards’.
Van Doren was not the only member of the Belgian set-up to win an award, with 31-year-old Red Lions shot-stopper Vincent Vanasch, a star performer in Belgium’s shoot-out triumph over the Netherlands in the World Cup final, claiming 46 per cent of votes to win his second successive ‘Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year’ title.
Arthur de Sloover’s stunning, composed performances in the Belgium defence saw him being named as ‘Male Rising Star of the Year’, the prize available to players born on or after January 1, 1996.
Speaking about this year’s awards, FIH president Narinder Batra said: “I wish to offer my sincere congratulations to all FIH hockey stars award winners for their outstanding contributions to 2018, a special and hugely memorable year for our sport.
“To be named as the very best in the world in a chosen field, whether as a player, coach or an umpire, is an honour that recognises relentless dedication, hard work and sacrifice in order to attain such a high level.”
Merit list
Male Player of the Year Arthur Van Doren (Belgium)
Female Player of the Year Eva de Goede (The Netherlands)
Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year Vincent Vanasch (Belgium)
Women’s Goalie of the Year Maddie Hinch (England)
Men’s Rising Star of the Year Arthur de Sloover (Belgium)
Women’s Rising Star of the Year Lucina von der Heyde (Argentina)
Male Coach of the Year Shane McLeod (Belgium)
Female Coach of the Year Alyson Annan (The Netherlands)
PTI