Veteran India hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh on Monday received the coveted World Sports Athlete of the Year for his 2021 efficiency, turning into solely the second Indian to obtain the honour.
In 2020, Indian girls’s hockey captain Rani Rampal turned the primary Indian to win the respect for her 2019 present.
Sreejesh defeated competitors from Spanish sports activities climber Alberto Gins López and Italian wushu participant Michele Giordano for the award.
“I am extremely honored to have won this award. First, a huge thank you to FIH for nominating me for this award, and secondly thank you to all the Indian hockey lovers around the world who voted for me,” Sreejesh mentioned in an announcement.
Sreejesh, a former India hockey captain and a member of the Tokyo Olympics-bronze medal-winning crew, obtained 1,27,647 votes, whereas Lopez and Giordane obtained 67,428 and 52,046 votes, respectively.
The 33-year-old was the one Indian nominee and was advisable by the International Hockey Federation (FIH).
At the FIH Stars Awards in October, Sreejesh was voted Goalkeeper of the Year for 2021.
“Being nominated, I did my job, however so did the remainder of the followers and hockey lovers. So, this award goes to him, and I believe he deserves this award greater than me.
Sreejesh mentioned, “It is also a big moment for Indian hockey because in the hockey community, all the hockey federations around the world have voted for me, so it was great to see that support from the hockey family.”
He devoted the respect to his teammates and the behind-the-scenes help system that led the crew to the rostrum on the Tokyo Olympics.
“I am someone who doesn’t believe in individual rewards, especially when you are part of a team,” he mentioned.
“It shouldn’t be solely a crew of 33 gamers, however there’s lots of people behind you, there’s teaching employees, there’s help employees, there’s a nice affiliation like Hockey India which is supporting you a large number.
“…there is the Sports Authority of India (SAI), which is providing all the world class facilities to train you, there is the Odisha government which gives unwavering support to the sport to grow and flourish and there is also the Olympic Association of India, The one who is taking care of you is really good.”
Sreejesh made his senior crew debut on the 2006 South Asian Games in Colombo. He has been a daily member within the crew since 2011 after saving two penalty strokes within the Asian Champions Trophy closing in opposition to Pakistan in Ordos City, China.
He represented India on the 2012 London Olympics after which the 2014 World Cup. At the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, he starred in India’s gold medal win when he saved two penalty strokes in opposition to Pakistan within the closing.
He led the silver medal successful Indian crew within the 2016 Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy held in London.
At the 2016 Olympics in Rio, Sreejesh led the Indian hockey crew to the quarter-finals of the event.
Sreejesh has represented India in 244 senior worldwide matches.
The CEO of International Hockey Federation congratulated Sreejesh on successful the award.
“On behalf of the worldwide hockey group, I want to heartily congratulate PR Sreejesh for this stupendous achievement. It’s an enormous recognition for him, for his crew and for hockey as an entire.”
Hockey India President Gyanendro Ningombam mentioned: “On behalf of Hockey India, I congratulate Sreejesh for successful the distinguished World Games Athlete of the Year 2021 award. It is a really proud and particular second for India as he has change into the second Indian athlete to win this honour.
,
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
