Kolkata: PR Sreejesh, the veteran goalkeeper who proved a rock on way to Indian men’s hockey team’s bronze medal performance in Tokyo Olympics, thanked his team members for earning a nomination for World Games Athlete of the Year 2021 award.
The 24 athletes nominated shortlisted for this award from 17 countries have been recommended by their respective international federations and in Sreejesh’s case, the FIH has recommended his name for the award for his outstanding efforts in the year 2021. “I think this nomination is quite special for it recognizes great team work and this nomination is a result of our Olympic performance,” the former Indian captain said.
“I am so honoured to be nominated and this truly goes for the team. It’s because of their hard work that we are being recognised world over. The credit of all this success also goes to Hockey India for their support, without them none of this could be possible. Now it’s up to the fans to choose the deserving winner for this award,” an elated Sreejesh who is currently in SAI, Bengaluru for the ongoing national coaching camp, told Hockey India.
Earlier in the year, Sreejesh was also elected as the FIH Goalkeeper of the Year award and was also conferred with the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award, the latter being the highest sporting honour by the government of India.
Lauding Sreejesh on being the only Indian this year to be nominated for the World Games Athlete of the year 2021, Hockey India President Shri Gyanendro Ningombam said: “We at Hockey India are elated by the news of Sreejesh being nominated for the World Games Athlete of the Year 2021. He is a huge inspiration to many in the country and is popular world over for his goalkeeping abilities and his vivacious personality. We are very proud of his achievements and contribution to Indian hockey. I hope all his fans and supporters of Indian hockey will cast their vote for him to win this prestigious award.”
In 2019, Rani Rampal, the inspirational Indian women’s hockey captain, became the first from India to win the World Games Athlete of the Year with 1,99,477 votes. This will be the ninth edition of the IWGA initiative that recognises and honours an athlete or a team for their outstanding performance or for their social commitment or particularly fair behaviour.
