The 2025 Sportstar Aces Awards celebrated India’s finest sporting talents at the Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, on February 14, 2025. The event recognized top athletes for their remarkable performances, with hockey legend P.R. Sreejesh and shooter Manu Bhaker clinching the top honors. Notable achievements in chess, cricket, and football were also acknowledged.
Key Highlights of the Award
Top Individual Winners
1. P.R. Sreejesh (Hockey)
- Won ‘Sportstar of the Year (Male)’ award.
- Key player in India’s bronze medal win at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
- Retired after the Paris Olympics.
- Received the award from Binod Mishra (SBI Deputy MD) and Leander Paes (Tennis legend).
- Expressed joy at being featured on Sportstar magazine’s cover.
- Highlighted the impact of Hockey India League and India’s Olympic success.
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2. Manu Bhaker (Shooting)
- Won ‘Sportstar of the Year (Female)’ and ‘Sportswoman of the Year’ awards.
- Secured two medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
- Received awards from ICC Chairman Jay Shah.
- Recalled attending the awards function in 2019 as an emerging athlete.
- Dedicated her win to her father and coach.
3. Swapnil Kusale (Shooting)
- Won ‘Sportsman of the Year’ award.
- Clinched bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Team Awards
1. Indian Men’s & Women’s Chess Teams
- Won ‘National Team of the Year’ award.
- Both teams secured gold medals at the 45th Chess Olympiad.
2. Mumbai Cricket Team (2023-24 Ranji Trophy Champions)
- Won ‘Club/State Team of the Year’ award.
- MCA President Ajinkya Naik & Dhawal Kulkarni (five-time Ranji Trophy champion) received the award.
Special Recognition
Downtown Heroes FC (Srinagar Football Club)
- Won ‘Chairperson’s Choice (Sports for Social Good)’ award.
- Recognized for promoting football in Kashmir.
- Award presented by Nirmala Lakshman, Chairperson, The Hindu Group.
- Received by co-founders Kaiser Bhat, Mushtaq Bashir, and Hinan Manzoor.
Winners List of All Category
- 1. Special Recognition Game Changer Award – Jay Shah
- 2. Best State for Promotion of Sports – Madhya Pradesh
- 3. Best Corporate to Promotion of Sports – Reliance
- 4. Best PSU for Promotion of Sports – Railway Sport Promotion Board
- 5. Best University for Promotion of Sports – Kalinga Institute Industrial Technology (KIIT)
- 6. Sports Women of the Year (Non-Olympic Sport) – Divya Deshmukh (Chess)
- 7. Sports Women of the Year (Para Sport) – Avani Lekhara (Shooting)
- 8. Club/State Team of the Year – Mumbai Cricket Team – 2023-24 Ranji Trophy Champions
- 9. National Team of the Year – Indian Men’s & Women’s Chess Teams – Gold at 45th Chess Olympiad
- 10. Young Achiever of Year (Male) – Parth Manek (Shooting)
- 11. Young Achiever of Year (Female) – Neha Sangwan (Wrestling)
- 12. Lifetime Achievement Award (Male) – Gurbux Singh (Hockey)
- 13. Lifetime Achievement Award (Female) – Mary D’Souza Sequeira (Hockey)
- 14. Super Achievers Para Athletes – Avani Lekhara (Shooting), Navdeep Singh (Para-Athletics), Harvinder Singh (Para-Archery)
- 15. Sportsman of the Year (Olympic Sport) – Swapnil Kusale and Sarabjot Singh (Shooting)
- 16. Inspirational Icon Award – PV Sindhu (Badminton)
- 17. Coach of the Year – Jaspal Rana (Shooting)
- 18. Sportstar of the Year (Female) – Manu Bhaker (Shooting)
- 19. Sport Women of the Year (Olympic Sport) – Manu Bhaker (Shooting)
- 20. Sportstar of the Year (Male) – PR Sreejesh (Hockey)