Lucknow-based Mumtaz Khan was rewarded for her stellar performance at the FIH 2021 Junior Women's World Cup in South Africa. 19-year-old Mumtaz scored eight goals in six matches of the tournament. India finished fourth in the tournament which was won by Netherlands.
Mumtaz Khan is the third Indian woman to win the award after Lalremsiami in 2019 and Sharmila Devi in 2020-21. In the men's category, Vivek Sagar Prasad has won the honor in both the year 2019 and 2020-21.
The FIH Rising Star of the Year Award is an annual award for the best male and female young player (under 23 years) in international hockey in a given calendar year, determined by votes from experts, teams, fans and the media.
