Times of India Sports Awards Returns to Lucknow for Third Consecutive Edition
The most celebrated names in Indian sports are set to converge once again as the prestigious Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) makes its triumphant return to Lucknow for the third consecutive year. This grand sporting gala, scheduled for Saturday, will honor the inspiring journeys and remarkable achievements of the nation's finest athletes across a diverse range of disciplines.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to Grace the Occasion
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will be the distinguished guest of honor, presenting trophies to both established achievers and emerging stars who have brought glory to India over the past year. His presence underscores the significance of this event in the national sporting calendar.
A Gathering of Sporting Legends and Icons
The evening promises to be a glittering affair, attended by a constellation of sporting legends including PT Usha, Leander Paes, Mithali Raj, Madan Lal, Sandeep Patil, and Sardar Singh. They will be joined by top athletes, esteemed coaches, administrators, and guests from across the country, solidifying TOISA's status as one of the most prestigious sporting events of the year.
Decade of Excellence and Expanded Recognition
Marking its tenth anniversary since inception in 2015, this edition of TOISA will recognize athletic excellence across more than 45 categories, covering performances from January 1 to December 31, 2025. The awards ensure that prowess in both mainstream and emerging sports is duly acknowledged.
A special segment will honor the best players of the past decade, celebrating a legacy of sporting greatness. Additionally, a dedicated category will spotlight the best player of the year from Uttar Pradesh, highlighting regional talent.
Strong Focus on Para Sports
In a significant move, TOISA has dedicated 13 categories exclusively to para sports, felicitating the extraordinary talent and resilience of para-athletes who have consistently brought laurels to the nation over the last decade.
Eminent Jury to Select Winners
A distinguished jury comprising India's most revered sporting personalities will undertake the challenging task of selecting the award winners. The panel includes:
- Abhinav Bindra – India's first individual Olympic gold medallist
- Leander Paes – Tennis legend and Olympic medallist
- PR Sreejesh – Two-time Olympic medallist in hockey
- Devendra Jhajharia – Two-time Paralympic gold medallist
- Mithali Raj – Icon of women's cricket with over 10,000 international runs
- Sharath Kamal – India's most decorated table tennis player with 13 Commonwealth Games medals
Landmark Achievements from a Stellar Year
The jury faces a formidable challenge given the plethora of outstanding performances in the past year. Notable achievements include:
- Neeraj Chopra continuing his dominance in athletics with stellar Diamond League performances.
- Samrat Rana securing three medals, including two golds, at the World Shooting Championships in Cairo.
- Lakshya Sen reaching the finals of the All England Badminton Championships, cementing his elite status.
- Historic triumphs in cricket: The India women's team winning their maiden ICC Women's Cricket World Cup on home soil, and the men's team capturing both the ICC Champions Trophy and Asia Cup.
- Smriti Mandhana playing a pivotal role in the World Cup victory, scoring 434 runs, including a blistering 109 against New Zealand.
- Deepti Sharma earning the Player of the Tournament award for her all-round excellence.
- The India women's blind cricket team becoming the inaugural champions of the Women's Blind Cricket T20 World Cup.
- The India men's hockey team triumphing at the Asia Cup and securing qualification for the 2026 FIH World Cup.
- Indian para-athletes delivering a rich medal haul at the World Para Athletics Championships.
- Emerging stars like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (cricket), Divya Deshmukh (chess), and Tanvi Sharma (badminton) showcasing promising talent.
Comprehensive List of Nominees
The TOISA jury has shortlisted a star-studded array of nominees across various categories, reflecting the depth of talent in Indian sports. Key nominations include:
Badminton
Male: Lakshya Sen, Ayush Shetty, Kiran George, Chirag Shetty, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy
Female: Tanvi Sharma, Unnati Hooda, Tressa Jolly, Gayatri Gopichand
Cricket
Male: Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, KL Rahul, Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav
Female: Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Shafali Verma
Athletics
Male: Neeraj Chopra, Animesh Kujur, Gulveer Singh, Sachin Yadav
Female: Parul Chaudhary, Rupal Chaudhary, Jyothi Yarraji, Pooja Singh
Hockey
Male: Abhishek Nain, Harmanpreet Singh, Jugraj Singh, Amit Rohidas
Female: Udita Duhan, Navneet Kaur, Mumtaz Khan, Rutuja Pisal
Shooting
Male: Samrat Rana, Ravinder Singh, Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Anish, Varun Tomar, Rudrankksh Patil
Female: Suruchi Inder Singh, Simranpreet Kaur, Esha Singh, Elavenil Valarivan, Sift Kaur Samra, Manu Bhaker
Chess
Male: R Praggnanandhaa, Aravindh Chithambaram, P Iniyan, Nihal Sarin, Arjun Erigaisi
Female: Divya Deshmukh, Koneru Humpy, R Vaishali, Nandhidhaa PV
Para Sports Categories
Notable nominees include Sheetal Devi (Para Archery), Sumit Antil (Para Athletics), and Pramod Bhagat (Para Badminton), among others in dedicated para sports segments.
Team of the Year Contenders
Nominees include the India Women's Cricket Team, India Men's Cricket Team, India Men's Hockey Team, and the India Women's Cricket Team for the Blind, highlighting collective achievements.
Through these honors, TOISA continues its unwavering mission of celebrating India's sporting heroes, whose grit, dedication, and excellence serve as a profound inspiration to the nation.
