PR Sreejesh Becomes Second Indian To Win World Games Athlete Of The Year Award

Veteran India hockey goalkeeper PR Srejeesh on Monday gained the prestigious Globe Online games Athlete of the Calendar year for his 2021 performances, getting to be only the next Indian to obtain the accolade. In 2020, Indian women’s hockey captain Rani Rampal became the initial Indian to gain the honour for her 2019 show. Sreejesh beat competitors from sport climber Alberto Ginés LOpez of Spain and Italy’s wushu player Michele Giordano for the award. “I am quite honoured to acquire this award. Very first of all, a significant thank you to FIH for nominating me for this award, and next many thanks to all the Indian hockey lovers about the environment, who voted for me,” Sreejesh said in a assertion.

Sreejesh, a former India hockey captain and portion of the Tokyo Olympics-bronze medal winning facet, acquired 1,27,647 votes, whilst Lopez and Giordane accrued 67,428 and 52,046 votes respectively.

The 33-12 months-aged was the only Indian nominated and was suggested by the Intercontinental Hockey Federation (FIH).

In the FIH Stars Awards in October, Sreejesh was named the goalkeeper of the calendar year for 2021.

“By receiving nominated I did my element, but the rest was performed by the followers and hockey fans. So, this award goes to them, and I feel they should have this award a lot more than me.

“It’s a significant second for Indian hockey as perfectly for the reason that all people in the hockey group, all the hockey federations all around the planet voted for me, so it can be excellent to see that guidance from the hockey spouse and children,” Sreejesh reported.

He dedicated the honour to his teammates and the driving-the-scenes aid program that propelled the aspect to the podium in Tokyo Olympics.

“I am a person who doesn’t believe that in individual awards, in particular when you are component of a team,” he explained.

“It’s not only the workforce of 33 players, but you have a ton of people today involved driving as nicely, there’s coaching workers, you can find support staff, you will find a great association like Hockey India who is supporting you a whole lot.

“…you can find Sporting activities Authority of India (SAI), who are providing you with all the planet-class facilities to prepare, you can find Odisha Authorities who’s unwavering aid assists the activity mature and flourish and there is India Olympic Association as well, who re taking treatment of you really properly.” Sreejesh created his senior team debut in 2006, at the South Asian Game titles in Colombo. He has been a typical member in the crew due to the fact 2011 right after saving two penalty strokes in the Asian Champions Trophy Remaining in Ordos City, China, versus Pakistan.

He experienced represented India at the 2012 London Olympics and then the Planet Cup in 2014. At the 2014 Asian Video games in Incheon, South Korea, he starred in India’s gold medal earn, when he saved two penalty strokes in opposition to Pakistan in the closing.

He led the Indian team that gained the silver medal at the 2016 Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy held at London.

At the 2016 Olympics in Rio, Sreejesh led the Indian hockey team to the quarterfinals of the event.

Sreejesh has represented India in 244 senior intercontinental matches.

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Global Hockey Federation CEO congratulated Sreejesh on winning the award.

“On behalf of the world wide hockey community, I might like to wholeheartedly congratulate PR Sreejesh for this spectacular achievement. This is a fantastic recognition for him, for his staff and for hockey as a entire.” Hockey India president Gyanendro Ningombam added: “On behalf of Hockey India, I congratulate Sreejesh for winning the prestigious Earth Online games Athlete of the Year 2021 Award. This is a really happy and special minute for India as he became the only next Indian athlete to get this honour.”