The Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) 2021 to honour the champions of Indian sports – Times of India

It’s time for the fifth edition of the Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA). This edition of the awards – TOISA 2021 – will once again recognise and celebrate the very best of Indian athletes and coaches.
Nominees were shortlisted in over 25 categories after meticulous research.
Distinguished sports personalities including the likes of cricket all-rounder and member of the 1983 World Cup winning team Madan Lal, Olympic medal winning shooter Gagan Narang, former hockey captain and Haryana sports Minister Sandeep Singh, veteran Indian athlete Anju Bobby George who was the first Indian athlete to win an athletics World Championships medal, Paralympic Games silver medallist Deepa Malik, Olympic medal winning boxer Vijender Singh along with the Sports Editor of Times of India Online, Akaash Dasgupta, were part of the TOISA jury this time which evaluated and picked the winners of TOISA 2021.

TOISA 2021 jury members Deepa Malik, Anju Bobby George and Gagan Narang analysing the performance of Indian athletes from among the nominee list at the Times of India Sports Awards jury meet. (TOI Photo)
Talking about the experience of being part of the TOISA 2021 jury, Olympic bronze medal winning shooter Gagan Narang said – “Awards are a form of motivation for any athlete performing at the highest level for the country. Awards are the by-products of the athletes’ performances. Awards motivate the athletes. The Times of India hosting these awards will be a great inspiration and motivation for the athletes who are going to win (and also) those who were nominated. The jury meeting was a great process and we had fun. Most of the (other) jury members I have played (alongside) during my time and it was good to connect with all of them.”
The other Olympic medallist who was part of the TOISA 2021 jury, boxer Vijender Singh said – “I feel honoured and happy to be part of the jury of the Times of India Sports Awards. We (jury members) had good discussions regarding the performances of the athletes and I hope we have picked the right athletes for the awards.”

TOISA 2021 jury members Deepa Malik, Anju Bobby George, Gagan Narang, Vijender Singh, Sandeep Singh and Madan Lal seen with Times of India Online staff members at the Times of India Sports Awards jury meet. (TOI Photo)
The evaluation period for TOISA 2021 was January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021 and covered achievements by Indian athletes in international tournaments including the last edition of the Olympics and Paralympics. India recorded their best ever showing at both the Olympics and the Paralympics in Tokyo in 2021, winning seven and nineteen medals in these events respectively.
The evaluation period also covered Asian Championships, World Cups and World Championships across various sports.

TOISA 2021 jury members Vijender Singh, Sandeep Singh and Madan Lal seen having a discussion as part of the process to pick the winners of the next edition of the Times of India Sports Awards at the jury meet. (TOI Photo)
It is very important that the achievements of our athletes are celebrated. Paralympic silver medallist and president of the Paralympic Committee of India Deepa Malik echoed that sentiment, saying – “It’s a very responsible job (being a jury member) and it gives me an opportunity to give back to sport, to encourage talents who have achieved and given their best to emerge as role models and sporting icons in the country, giving direction, hope, inspiration to many other sportspersons who are now thinking of devoting their time to sports. Jeet ka jashn bahut zaruri hota hai (it’s very important to celebrate victory). You need to celebrate the wins, the moment which brings pride to the tricolour…And when that person (athlete) is appreciated for giving that moment to India, what better than giving (recognition) in the form of an award. It gives more power to the athletes to win more for the country.”
“It was a different experience being part of the Times of India Sports Awards jury. Awards are very important for the players. Once you start recognizing athletes, they get motivation to do well. I believe motivation is important for athletes to achieve higher goals,” said Indian all-rounder and a member of the 1983 World Cup winning Indian cricket team, Madan Lal, who was also part of the TOISA 2021 jury.
At the jury meet held in the capital recently, the jury members deliberated on the 2021 achievements of some of India’s elite athletes, across sports. While the winners in some categories were decided easily, the jury members took time to decide on a unanimous winner in some other categories.
The first Indian athlete to win an athletics World Championship medal, Anju Bobby George said – “The Times of India Sports awards was an opportunity for us to choose the best sports persons and I was really happy to do that. Winning a medal is for the country and awards are the recognition for their achievements, so awards are important for the athletes.”
Former India hockey captain Sandeep Singh, who has also had a movie made on his life and career, said – “The Times of India Sports Awards are one of the best awards where athletes from different sporting disciplines share the same stage and are honoured for their performances. It is a very big thing to appreciate the athletes for their performances and the Times of India has been appreciating and honouring the athletes. I was part of TOISA last time and before that as well and these awards are a very big step in terms of honouring our country’s athletes.”
The awards ceremony for TOISA 2021 will be held on October 14.