Prabodh Tirkey, Surinder Kaur named players of the year

New Delhi, July 2 (UNI) India team captain Prabodh Tirkey and Haryana's Surinder Kaur have been adjudged best men and women's players respectively for 2007 by the Eighth Hockey Year Book.

Women's star Asunta Lakra and Bharat Chikara, who shone at various domestic tournaments, bagged the Hockey Year Book Rising Star Awards.

Centre-half Asunta Lakra gave a consistent performance in all women's engagements last year notably at the Madrid World Cup and the Doha Asian Games.

Sirsa-based Namdharis hockey team, which defeated both Punjab Police and Indian Airlines in the 63rd Senior National Championship at Jalandhar, have been declared the Best Team.

Namdharis also annexed some important domestic events including Maharaja Ranjit Singh Cup.

Striker Surinder Kaur played just four matches at the Madrid World Cup last year before an injury forced her to sit on the benches for the rest of the tournament. Yet, she emerged the overall second top-scorer at Madrid with seven goals in her kitty.

Returning to competitive hockey last year after recurrent injuries, Orissa's Probodh Tirkey excelled at domestic hockey to be part of title winning PHL teams of 2006 and 2007 and was elevated to captaincy this year.

UNI