Deepika Bags 2024-25 Poligras Magic Skill Award for Goal Vs Netherlands

Indian women's hockey team forward Deepika and Belgium's Hockey team player Victor Wegnez, respectively, won the women's and men’s  FIH 2024-25 Poligras Magic Skill Award. 

The award recognises the moments of individual brilliance, reflecting the flair and creativity of the sport during a FIH Hockey Pro League season.

Fans registered on the FIH (Fédération Internationale de Hockey) site vote to choose the best moments of individual brilliance displayed by women and men's hockey players, among the three shortlisted men's and women's hockey players during a FIH Hockey Pro League Season.

Deepika is the first Indian hockey player to win the Poligras Magic Skill Award.

Deepika's Goal against the Netherlands fetched her the Award 

Three women players shortlisted by FIH for this year's Poligras Magic Skill Award were -  Deepika, Spanish Patricia Alvarez's goal against Australia, and the team goal by the Australian women's team against England.

Deepika was nominated for her solo goal against the World No. 1 Netherlands in a match played at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

The Indian team was down 0-2 goals in the match before Deepika’s solo run earned India its first goal of the match. India finally defeated the Netherlands in a shootout after the match ended 2-2 in stipulated time.

Belgium’s Victor Wegnez won the men’s award for his brilliance, which eventually led to a team goal against Spain.

Winner of the 2024-25 FIH Pro Hockey League 

The FIH Pro Hockey League is organised by the International Hockey Federation (FIH), the world governing body for hockey. It is an annual tournament in which the top 9 countries' hockey teams participate.

The FIH Pro Hockey League also serves as a qualifying event for next year's FIH men’s and women’s hockey World Cup.

All teams play each other in a round-robin format at home and abroad. The team scoring the maximum points tops the table and is declared the winner.

Winner of the 2024-25 season 

In the 2024-25 season, the Netherlands won both the Men’s and Women’s FIH Pro Hockey League titles.

The Indian men’s team finished 8th, just above Ireland, with 6 wins and 10 losses.

The Indian women's team finished last in 9th place and was relegated to the FIH Nations Cup.

If the Indian team wins the 2025-26 FIH Nations Cup, then it will be eligible to play the 2026-27 season Women’s Pro Hockey League.

About FIH (International Hockey Federation)

The FIH, or International Hockey Federation, is the governing body of the sport worldwide.

Established - 7 January 1924

Headquarters - Lausanne, Switzerland 

President - Mohammad Tayyab Ikram