Lucknow: The Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) 2024, held in Lucknow on February 22, recognised the outstanding contributions of athletes and mentors in India’s sporting landscape. The event saw a celebration of excellence across various categories, with prestigious awards bestowed on individuals and organisations who have made remarkable strides in their respective sports over the last year.
Abhinav Bindra, a former Olympic gold medallist, was honoured as the Mentor of the Year, for his dedication in nurturing the next generation of Indian shooters. His mentorship has inspired many athletes to push their boundaries.
D Gukesh, the young chess sensation, was awarded the Sportsperson of the Year (Male), acknowledging his meteoric rise to become the youngest-ever World Chess Champion. On the female side, Manu Bhaker, the ace shooter, won Sportsperson of the Year (Female) for her heroics, including two medals in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Both were awarded by the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
In a touching moment, the Lifetime Achievement Award went to the legendary cricketer Kapil Dev, recognising his immense contribution to Indian cricket and sports. Suhas Lalinakere Yathiraj was awarded the Change Agent of Sports for the Year for his role in transforming para-sports in India, while Suniel Shetty was named TOISA Ambassador of the Year for his advocacy of sports through various platforms.
The evening also highlighted the contributions of sporting organisations. Para Commission of India, represented by Devendra Jhajharia, and Hockey India, represented by the Indian men’s hockey team, were awarded Federation of the Year.
Special recognition was given to athletes from Uttar Pradesh, including Vijay Sharma, Shelly Singh, and Varun Singh Bhatti. In badminton, Anmol Kharb was named Badminton Player of the Year, while Nitesh Kumar and Manisha Ramadass were awarded Para-Badminton Player of the Year.
Other winners included emerging athletes Aman Sehrawat, Jyothi Yarraji as Track & Field Athlete of the Year, and Yogesh Kathuniya, Nishad Kumar, and Simran Sharma for their achievements in para-athletics. Swapnil Pawar, Sarabjot Singh, and Manu Bhaker were honoured as Shooters of the Year. In wrestling, Aman Sehrawat and Nisha Dahiya were named Wrestler of the Year. Sreeja Akula took home Table Tennis Player of the Year, while Lovlina Borgohain received Special Recognition for Boxing.
List of TOISA 2024 winners
- Mentor of the Year: Abhinav Bindra
- Sports Person of the Year (Male): Gukesh D
- Sports Person of the Year (Female): Manu Bhaker
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Kapil Dev
- Change Agent of Sports for the Year: Suhas LY
- TOISA Ambassador of the Year: Suniel Shetty
- Federation of the Year (Para Commission of India): Devendra Jhajharia
- Federation of the Year (Hockey India): Indian Men’s Hockey Team
- Special Recognition for Athletes from Uttar Pradesh: Vijay Sharma, Shelly Singh, Varun Singh Bhatti, Shivpal Singh, Mohammed Amaan
- Badminton Player of the Year: Anmol Kharb
- Para-Badminton Player of the Year (Male): Nitesh Kumar
- Para-Badminton Player of the Year (Female): Manisha Ramadass
- Emerging Sports Person of the Year: Aman Sehrawat
- Track & Field Athlete of the Year: Jyothi Yarraji
- Special Recognition for Para Athletes: Yogesh Kathuniya, Nishad Kumar, Simran Sharma
- Shooter of the Year (Male): Swapnil Pawar
- Shooter of the Year (Female): Manu Bhaker
- Wrestler of the Year (Male): Aman Sehrawat
- Wrestler of the Year (Female): Nisha Dahiya
- Table Tennis Player of the Year: Sreeja Akula
- Special Recognition for Boxing: Lovlina Borgohain
- Special Recognition for Chess: Gukesh D
- Special Recognition for Chess Federation: AICF
- Special Recognition for Kho Kho Federation: Kho Kho Federation
- Para Judo Player of the Year: Kapil Parmar
- Coach of the Year: Jaspal Rana
- Para-Coach of the Year: Arun Kumar