Dohmen, Naomi awarded FIH Player of the Year honour

Belgium captain and Olympic silver medallist John-John Dohmen and Netherlands' Naomi van As won the International Hockey Federation's (FIH) male and female Player of the Year (2016) awards respectively at the gala FIH Hockey Stars Awards Ceremony, here on Thursday.

For the first time in the sport's history, an awards ceremony was held to honour the best players, goalkeepers, rising stars, coaches and umpires.

There were two Indians in fray — captain and goalkeeper PR Sreejesh (Goalkeeper of the Year) and Harmanpreet Singh (Rising Star of the Year) but both returned empty-handed.

After receiving a number of noteworthy awards since her Rio 2016 success, Great Britain's Olympic gold medallist Maddie Hinch admitted that winning the Hockey Stars 2016 female Goalkeeper of the Year was the pinnacle. Ireland's David Harte, meanwhile, was crowned the best in the world for the second year in a row as he received the male Goalkeeper of the Year.

Belgium's Rio 2016 Olympic Games medal success was a big factor in the nation's athletes picking up two awards, with Dohmen's compatriot Arthur Van Doren being named male Rising Star of the Year (aged 23 years and under).

Maria Granatto from Argentina picked up the female Rising Star of the Year after a hugely successful period which saw her team win the 2016 Hockey Champions Trophy, where she won Best Junior Player, as well as becoming Hockey Junior World Cup champions in November.

Coach of Year awards in both male and female categories went to Great Britain with Danny Kerry winning the recognition in the men's section and Karen Brown in the women's section.

It is the first of its kind ceremony to recognise those who have made a significant contribution to the sport.