TOISA 2025 celebrates India’s sporting excellence with Smriti Mandhana and Samrat Rana leading the honours

Celebrating India's sports achievements, The Times of India Sports Awards 2025 brought together the nation's top leading athletes, breakthrough performers and motivational achievers, all under one roof. The event celebrated Indian sports achievements from last year, while it demonstrated how Indian sports organisations expanded their influence on the international stage. The ceremony brought together Indian athletes from different sports to receive their awards while they celebrated their achievements in their respective disciplines.

Smriti Mandhana received the Sportsperson of the Year award for women because she delivered top-notch performances, which led her team to victory during every match across the entire season. Samrat Rana received the top award in the male category after he made history by winning the world championship in 10m air pistol shooting, which established him as India's first world champion in this discipline.

Addressing the gathering as the chief guest, Yogi Adityanath underlined the importance of building a strong sporting foundation across the state. “We are working to ensure that every district becomes a centre of sporting activity, where facilities, coaching and opportunities are accessible to all. From village-level competitions to international platforms, our aim is to create a seamless pathway for athletes,” he said.
Highlighting progress, he added, “Over the past 11–12 years, a sports culture has developed in the country. Inspired by Narendra Modi, we have taken this forward in Uttar Pradesh since 2017.” He concluded by thanking the organisers, stating, “On behalf of the Uttar Pradesh government, I once again welcome all of you. I thank The Times of India Group… for organising this wonderful platform that recognises excellence and inspires the next generation.”

The awards also honoured several standout contributors to Indian sport. Amol Muzumdar was named Coach of the Year for guiding the women’s team to a historic ICC ODI World Cup triumph, while Subhash Rana received the Para Coach of the Year award.
Among players, Shubman Gill and Deepti Sharma were honoured as Cricketers of the Year. In track and field, Neeraj Chopra and Rupal Chaudhary took top accolades, reflecting India’s growing dominance in athletics. Meanwhile, Prasad Sanyal, Group Business Head of TOI, Indiatimes, and WhatsHot, summed up the spirit of the evening in his keynote: “More sweat, more glory - that is the journey Indian sport continues to embrace.”

Marking its eighth edition, TOISA 2025 recognised excellence across more than 45 sporting categories, covering performances from January 1 to December 31, 2025. The event stood as a testament to India’s rising sporting depth, consistency, and ambition, celebrating not just achievements but the journey that continues to shape the nation’s sporting future.