India’s Raghu Prasad named International Hockey Federation male umpire of the Year 2025

India’s distinguished hockey umpire Raghu Prasad has been named the FIH (International Hockey Federation) Male Umpire of the Year 2025, recognising his exceptional professionalism, dedication, and excellence in international hockey officiating.

Prasad, who has 198 international umpiring caps and 33 VU (Video Umpire) appointments, is poised to achieve a historic milestone at the 2025 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup (SASC) in Malaysia, where he will become the first Asian umpire to reach 200 international caps. His career spans over two decades, during which he has officiated at major tournaments, including the FIH Hockey Pro League (HPL), Commonwealth Games (CWG), Junior World Cups (JWC), and key Asian events such as the Asian Games (AG), Asia Cups (AC), and Asian Champions Trophies (ACT).

Since his international debut in 2003, Prasad has overseen matches across all continents and at every major event, including four FIH Hockey World Cups (WC) and three Olympic Games (OG) — a record achieved by very few umpires. The FIH highlighted that his fitness, sharp decision-making, and on-field leadership have been key to his enduring success.

“Raghu Prasad receives the Male Umpire of the Year Award in recognition of a remarkable 23-year career defined by consistency, resilience, and excellence,” the FIH said in a statement. It added that Prasad’s professionalism and humility have earned him immense respect within the global hockey fraternity, and his journey continues to inspire a new generation of officials committed to upholding the integrity and spirit of the game.

The Female Umpire of the Year 2025 award went to Irene Presenqui (ARG), reflecting similar standards of excellence. Recipients of the FIH Umpire of the Year awards are selected by the FIH Umpiring Committee (UC). In OG and WC years, the award recognises umpires who have delivered the highest level of performance, while in other years, officials may be honoured for their broader or long-term contributions to the sport.

“Both Irene Presenqui and Raghu Prasad exemplify the fairness, dedication, and excellence that define international hockey umpiring. Their achievements not only raise the standard of officiating but also underscore the crucial role of umpires in shaping the sport’s future,” the FIH added.

Prasad’s recognition marks a proud moment for Indian hockey, reflecting the country’s growing presence in global officiating and the sustained impact of its officials at the highest level of international competition.