Indian women’s hockey forward Deepika Sehrawat has become the first Indian to win the prestigious Poligras Magic Skill Award for the 2024–25 FIH Hockey Pro League season.
Key Highlights
- Awarded For: Her spectacular solo field goal in the 35th minute against Netherlands, during the Bhubaneswar leg of the 2024–25 FIH Hockey Pro League.
- Match Result: Match ended in 2–2 draw, India won in shootout.
- Voting: Conducted globally by fans; Deepika emerged as the top vote-getter.
- She competed against:
- Patricia Alvarez (Spain)
- Australian Women’s Team
- Men’s Winner: Victor Wegnez (Belgium), for a midfield play leading to a team goal vs Spain.
Who is Deepika Sehrawat?
| Aspect | Details |
| Hometown | Hisar, Haryana |
| Early Career | Scored 16 goals in 2018 Sub-Junior Nationals; named Best Player |
| Junior Debut | 2018 Youth Olympic Qualifiers |
| Major Tournaments | – 2021 Jr. World Cup, South Africa – Gold at Jr. Asia Cup |
| Senior Team Debut | 2021–22 FIH Pro League, Bhubaneswar |
| Other Key Tournaments | 2020 Junior India tour of Chile (undefeated run) |
About Poligras Magic Skill Award
- Organised by: International Hockey Federation (FIH)
- Purpose: Recognises the most creative and skilful moments in the FIH Hockey Pro League
- Voting Process: Fan-voted, based on shortlists of spectacular plays
- Frequency: Annual award
- Significance:
- Promotes individual brilliance
- Provides global recognition
- Encourages creativity in hockey
Significance for India
- Historic Win: First Indian (male or female) to win this global skill-based award.
- Recognition of Indian Talent: Highlights India’s rising global profile in women’s hockey.
- Boost for Young Players: Deepika’s story is a model for grassroots-to-glory transition.
- International Attention: Brings focus to Indian hockey’s youth development programs.
Key Facts
| Topic | Detail |
| FIH | International Hockey Federation (HQ: Lausanne, Switzerland) |
| FIH Pro League | Prestigious international field hockey league for national teams |
| Poligras | Brand of synthetic turf widely used in professional hockey |
| Recent Venue in India | Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar |
| Haryana’s Hockey Legacy | State has produced stars like Rani Rampal, Savita Punia, and now Deepika |