Sreejesh bags top honour

New Delhi, Jan. 31: Veteran India hockey goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh on Monday won the prestigious World Games Athlete of the Year for his 2021 performances, becoming only the second Indian to receive the accolade. In 2020, Indian women’s hockey captain Rani Rampal became the first Indian to win the honour for her 2019 show.

Sreejesh beat competition from sport climber Alberto Gines Lopez of Spain and Italy’s wushu player Michele Giordano for the award.

“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.

Sreejesh, a former India hockey captain and part of the Tokyo Olympicsbronze medal winning side, received 1,27,647 votes, whereas Lopez and Giordane accumulated 67,428 and 52,046 votes respectively.

The 33-year-old was the only Indian nominated and was recommended by the International Hockey Federation (FIH).

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

“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 the honour to his teammates and the behind-the-scenes support system that propelled the side to the podium in Tokyo Olympics.

“I am a person who doesn’t believe in individual awards, especially when you are part of a team,” he said.