Indian Men’s hockey team goalkeeper PR Sreejesh won the World Games Athlete of the Year for his 2021 performances and became only the second Indian sportsperson to receive this award. In 20220, Indian Women’s Hockey team captain Rani Rampal won the award and became the first Indian to achieve that feat mainly for her exceptional performances for the country.
Sreejesh this time competed with sport climber Alberto Gins Lopez of Spain and Italy’s wushu player Michele Giordano to clinch the award as he was sensational for Indian hockey in 2021. Sreejesh’s exceptional work as the Indian goalkeeper led to India breaking the jinx at the Tokyo Olympics by winning the bronze medal.
“I’m very honoured to win this award. First of all, a big thank you to FIH for nominating me for this award, and secondly thanks to all the Indian hockey lovers around the world, who voted for me,” Sreejesh said in a statement.
Sreejesh who once even captained the Men’s hockey team received 1,27,647 votes for the award. Whereas Lopez and Giordane accumulated 67,428 and 52,046 votes respectively.
The 33-year-old veteran custodian was the only Indian nominated and was recommended by the International Hockey Federation (FIH).
Earlier FIH Awards, Sreejesh won the Best Goalkeeper Award for the year 2021. After receiving the award, Sreejesh highlighted the growth of Indian hockey as he also credited the fans for the development of the game in the country.
“By getting nominated I did my part, but the rest was done by the fans and hockey lovers. So, this award goes to them, and I think they deserve this award more than me.
“It’s a big moment for Indian hockey as well because everyone in the hockey community, all the hockey federations around the world voted for me, so it’s great to see that support from the hockey family,” Sreejesh said.
He dedicated his award to his teammates as he admitted that he do not agree with the individual award.
Sreejesh made his debut for India back in 2006 at the South Asian Games in Colombo, Sri Lanka. He has been a regular member of the team ever since 2011. He had represented India at the 2012 London Olympics and then the World Cup in 2014. He guided India to the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea as Sreejesh saved two penalty strikes against Pakistan in the finals.
Sreejesh also guided India to the silver medal at the 2016 Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy held in London. He also featured in the 2016 Olympics in Rio. The veteran goalkeeper has represented India in 244 senior international matches and is surely an Indian sport great.
