National Sports Day: Dhananjay Mahadik, Sayyad Niaz Rahim along with Pune’s Ranvir Bhatti and Sridhar Kulkarni awarded for their contributions
Pune, 29th August 2025: On the occasion of National Sports Day, three distinguished hockey players and a coach known for his contributions at grassroot level were honored for their significant contributions to the game of hockey. Former international and defender Dhananjay P Mahadik, along with Sayyad Niaz Rahim and Ranvir Singh Bhatti were recognized for their enduring influence on the game. The fourth awardee is, Shridhar V Kulkarni, the current coach of Loyola H.S and who spent his life developing players.
Incidentally, of the four honourees two are from outside Pune – Mumbai and Nagpur – while two are from Pune. The awards were presented in a ceremony commemorating the 120th birth anniversary of hockey legend Dhyan Chand.
The event took place at the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Balewadi, Mhalunge, and was organized by the Directorate of Sports and Youth Services, Maharashtra State Pune, in collaboration with Hockey Maharashtra and the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation.
Dhananjay P Mahadik, the experienced of the group, has had an illustrious career. The Deputy Commissioner of State GST and posted in Mumbai earned respect on the international stage—including appearances at the 2010 Commonwealth Games and 2010 Asian Games. He was a silver medallist in New Delhi, Commonwealth Games and a bronze at Guangzhou Asiad. Later, Mahadik was appointed as video analyst for India’s senior men’s hockey team in 2013, a role that underscored the growing importance of data-driven strategies in modern hockey. Recently, Dhananjay was also Captain of the Hockey Maharashtra Masters team which won Silver at the 2025 inaugural Hockey India Masters Hockey, Chennai.
Similarly, midfielder Niaz Rahim, the current captain of Indian Railways, is renowned for his tenure as a seasoned hockey player, Rahim has been lauded for his enduring influence on team dynamics and local sporting culture.
Another veteran of the game, Bhatti’s legacy includes years of commitment to uplifting and mentoring emerging hockey talent.
The day also marked the launch of a Coaching Clinic at the Major Dhyanchand Hockey Stadium, Nehrunagar-Pimpri, a cycle rally and above all the Monsoon Hockey League.
The function was graced by Advocate Manikrao S Kokate, Minister of Sports and Youth Services, Government of Maharashtra who expressed his support to the talent development aiding the sport of hockey. The chief guest of the occasion was Sheetal Basavaraj Telgi Ugale (IAS), Commissioner of Sports, Directorate of Sports and Youth Services, Maharashtra State
The event was presided over by Krishna Prakash, IPS, ADG Force One Maharashtra Police, Manish S Anand, President Hockey Pune and General Secretary Hockey Maharashtra and Manoj V Bhore, Associate Vice President Hockey India and Senior Vice President Hockey Maharashtra.
The guests of honour included Sudhir More, Joint Director, Sports and Youth Services, Maharashtra State; Sanjay Sabnis, Deputy Director, Sports and Youth Services, Maharashtra State; Vikram Pillay, Olympian.
This day of celebration highlighted the lasting impact of athletes in Indian hockey and honouring their dedication and the pride they brought to Maharashtra.
