Member of three Olympic gold medal winning teams, Sardar Balbir Singh Sr. was endowed with Major Dhyan Chand lifetime Achievement Award along with a cheque of Rs 30 lakh at the inaugural Hockey India Annual Awards here on Saturday. Birendra lakra and Vandana Kataria were adjudged as player of the year in men and women categories respectively and received cash award of Rs 25 lakhs. India’s heroic custodian PR Sreejesh (Goalkeeper of the Year), Deepika (Defender of the Year), Manpreet (Midfielder of the Year) and Akashdeep Singh (Forward of the Year) were also awarded in different categories. “I felt greatly honoured to be named among 16 iconic Olympians during the london Olympics but this award is sweeter as it’s given by own country,” Balbir Sr. said.