Three Indians named for
top hockey prize

Three Indians figure in the nominations for the International Hockey Federation (FIH) men's 'Player of the Year' awards, which were announced on Wednesday.

Captain of the Junior World Cup-winning Indian team Gagan Ajit Singh and his striking partner Prabhjot Singh are among 12 players from different countries shortlisted for the FIH men's 'Young Player of the Year 2002' award, while veteran Dhanraj Pillay, who was named player of the Champions Trophy, in September, is the lone Indian among 12 nominated for the 'Player of the Year 2002' award.

Gagan Ajit and Pillay were among five Indians named in the All-Asia team after the Asian Games.

The nominees were discussed and agreed to by a panel of internationally respected journalists and coaches, all of whom were present at the major FIH events during the year.

The panel members took the players' performances during the World Cup and Champions Trophy into consideration while making their proposals. Only players under 23 years, as on January 1, 2002, were considered for the award.

FIH president Els van Breda Vriesman said: "The Player of the Year awards are a highlight of the hockey year and always provoke huge interest, discussion and argument, as everyone of the hockey community chooses their personal favourites amongst the wealth of talent that credits our sport.

"Whilst it is impossible for the panels to choose everybody's favourites, I am confident that they will make their choices fairly and with the benefit of their unquestionable expertise, to acclaim four excellent ambassadors of our sport."

The winners will be determined by a secret ballot amongst the panel members, with their first, second and third choices carrying 10 points, 5 points and 2 points respectively. The winners will be announced at an open press meet at the Burswood Hotel, Perth, at 5.30 pm on Thursday, December 5, 2002.

The nominations:

FIH Men's Young Player of the Year 2002
1. Gagan Ajit Singh (IND)
2. Ryan Archibald (NZL)
3. Ronald Brouwer (NED)
4. Rehan Butt (PAK)
5. Rob Derikx (NED)
6. Jamie Dwyer (AUS)
7. Matias Paredes (ARG)
8. Hayden Shaw (NZL)
9. Prabhjot Singh (IND)
10. Eduard Tubau (ESP)
11. Tibor Weissenborn (GER)
12. Philipp Zeller (GER)

FIH Men's Player of the Year 2002
1. Waseem Ahmed (PAK)
2. Arnold Clemens (GER)
3. Michael Green (GER)
4. Jorge Lombi (ARG)
5. Greg Nicol (RSA)
6. Teun de Nooijer (NED)
7. Dhanraj Pillay (IND)
8. Young Bae Kim (KOR)
9. Keon Wook Kang (KOR)
10. Brent Livermore (AUS)
11. Florian Kunz (GER)
12. Fernando Zylberberg (ARG)