Sportstar Aces 2024, Popular Choice Awards: Ahmedabad Defenders nominated for ‘Club/State Team of the Year ‘ Award

In its first season in 2022, Ahmedabad Defenders finished as the runner-up, losing to Kolkata Thunderbolts in the final and went a step further in the next season, sealing the gold.

The Defenders emerged as champion in the Prime Volleyball League 2023, becoming the joint-most successful team in the Prime Volleyball League. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Ahmedabad Defenders was nominated for the ‘Popular Choice — Club/State Team of the Year‘ award for the upcoming Sportstar ACES Awards 2024.

The Defenders emerged as champion in the Prime Volleyball League 2023, becoming the joint-most successful team in the Prime Volleyball League.

In its first season in 2022, it finished as the runner-up, losing to Kolkata Thunderbolts in the final and went a step further in the next season, sealing the gold.

ACES Awards 2024 | Voting lines now open for Sportstar ACES Awards

The team’s influence extended beyond the league as three of its players, including captain Muthusamy Appavu, made a significant impact representing Team India at the Asian Games.

The Defenders also became the first Indian side to play at the FIVB Volleyball Men’s Club World Championship, which took place in Bengaluru this year.

In 2023

• Champion of the Prime Volleyball League 2023
• Finished as runner-up in the 2022 edition and improved to win the title in 2023
• Three players from the Defenders also impressed for Team India at the Asian Games, including captain Muthusamy Appavu
• Became the joint-most successful team in the Prime Volleyball League

About ACES Awards 2024

There are 21 categories of awards this year – five Popular Choice and 16 Jury awards.

The five Popular Choice awards are ‘Sportstar of the Year (Male)‘, ‘Sportstar of the Year (Female)‘, ‘National Team of the Year’, ‘Club/State Team of the Year’, and ‘Moment of the Year’.

The Jury Awards are Sportsman of the Year (Individual Sports, Track and Field, Team Sports, Parasports), Sportswoman of the Year (Individual Sports, Team Sports, Track and Field, Parasports), Coach of the Year, Best State for Promotion of Sports, Best Corporate for Promotion of Sports, Best PSU for Promotion of Sports, Best College/University for Promotion of Sports, Lifetime Achievement Award, Young Achiever of the Year (Boy), Young Achiever of the Year (Girl)

There will also be a separate Chairperson’s Award for Sports for Social Good, which will honour individuals or organisations that have used the power of sports to make our world a better place.