Jharkhand’s Salima Tete to get Arjuna Award

Ranchi, January 2: Jharkhand’s star hockey player and captain of the Indian women’s hockey team, Salima Tete will receive the Arjuna Award. The Sports Ministry on Thursday announced the National Sports Awards 2024 list, which includes four athletes receiving the Khel Ratna and 32 others, including Salima, receiving the Arjuna Award. The awards ceremony will take place on January 17.
Salima Tete, a native of Simdega district in Jharkhand, has been leading the Indian women’s hockey team since May 2024, succeeding Savita Punia. Her journey from her ancestral village, Badki Chhapar, to international recognition has been marked by resilience and talent. Her father, Sulakshan Tete, a former local hockey player, supported her throughout her challenging journey to success.
Salima’s hockey career began in 2010 when Simdega Hockey President Manoj Konbegi spotted her talent during a village-level tournament. Initially a defender, Salima later transitioned to a midfielder role and occasionally played as a forward when needed, showcasing her versatility. In 2016, she was selected for the Junior Indian Hockey Women’s Team, setting the stage for her remarkable career.
The Arjuna Award recognizes athletes for outstanding performance, leadership, sportsmanship, and discipline over the past four years. With this honor, Salima becomes the first female hockey player from Jharkhand to receive the Arjuna Award. Hockey India President Bhola Nath Singh and Simdega Hockey officials have expressed pride in her achievement, highlighting it as a moment of joy for the entire state.
Salima’s recognition follows in the footsteps of hockey legend Michael Kindo, another Arjuna Awardee from Jharkhand, and solidifies her status as a role model for aspiring athletes in the region.