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Delhi SG Pipers Congratulate PR Sreejesh on Prestigious FIH Goalkeeper of the Year AwardDelhi SG Pipers, the Hockey India League franchise backed by SG Sports, Media and Entertainment, has extended its heartfelt congratulations to its Director of Hockey and Team Mentor, PR Sreejesh, on winning the prestigious FIH Goalkeeper of the Year award at the FIH (Hockey) Stars Awards.Sreejesh, a double Olympic medalist, emerged victorious over a formidable field of contenders, including Pirmin Blaak of the Netherlands, Luis Calzado of Spain, Jean-Paul Danneberg of Germany, and Tomas Santiago of Argentina. This marks Sreejesh's third FIH Goalkeeper of the Year award, having previously won the honor back-to-back in 2021 and 2022.Throughout his illustrious 18-year career, Sreejesh has made 366 appearances for India, amassing an impressive collection of accolades. In addition to his two Olympic medals, he has won two gold and one bronze medal at the Asian Games, two Champions Trophy silvers, two Commonwealth Games silver medals, an Asia Cup silver, and four Asian Champions Trophy gold and silver medals, among others.Sreejesh's exceptional performances under the post played a pivotal role in India's bronze medal-winning feats at the Tokyo and Paris Olympics. His ability to adapt and transform his game in response to evolving styles and strategies has solidified his status as one of the best goalkeepers in modern hockey.Delhi SG Pipers Head Coach Graham Reid praised Sreejesh's remarkable achievements, stating, "Sreejesh stands out as a true champion who transcends the game of hockey and the era in which he played. His dedication, skill, and sportsmanship have not only inspired his teammates but have also left an indelible mark on the sport itself."Sreejesh expressed his delight at receiving the award, saying, "This award is a recognition to all my achievements and is a crowning moment for me as a player. It is going to be an inspiration for the next generation, players who played alongside me and junior team goalkeepers who are now working with me. I hope this award can be an inspiration for them."Sreejesh's unwavering commitment to excellence serves as a beacon for aspiring athletes everywhere. His achievements will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of Indian goalkeepers and leave a lasting legacy in the sport of hockey.

PR Sreejesh, the legendary Indian hockey goalkeeper, has been nominated for the prestigious FIH Men's Goalkeeper of the Year Award 2024. This recognition comes after his stellar performance at the recent Paris Olympics, where he played a pivotal role in India's bronze-medal winning campaign.Sreejesh, who retired from international hockey after the Olympics, made crucial saves throughout the tournament, particularly during India's intense quarterfinal clash against Great Britain. Despite being reduced to 10 men, Sreejesh's calm demeanor and critical saves in the penalty shootout helped India secure a 4-2 victory and a place in the semifinals."Every save I made in that tournament was not just about me; it was about the entire team and our country's support," said Sreejesh. "Being nominated for this award is a reflection of our collective spirit and the incredible journey we've had together."Sreejesh's nomination is a testament to his exceptional skill and resilience. Often referred to as the "Great Wall of Indian Hockey," he has been a cornerstone of the Indian team for over a decade. In his final international tournament, he displayed his unwavering determination and leadership, inspiring his teammates and reinforcing his status as one of the world's finest goalkeepers.Throughout his 18-year international career, Sreejesh has represented India in over 300 matches and at four Olympic Games. He has been adorned with multiple awards, including the FIH Goalkeeper of the Year in 2021 and 2022, the Arjuna Award, the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, and the World Games Athlete of the Year."This nomination isn't just mine; it's for every individual who has supported me and Indian hockey over the years," said Sreejesh. "It's been an incredible ride, and I'm proud to have played my part in our team's success."Sreejesh's nomination is a fitting tribute to his illustrious career and his unwavering dedication to Indian hockey. It serves as an inspiration to future generations of athletes, demonstrating that hard work, passion, and teamwork can lead to extraordinary achievements.

In the hallowed halls of the Stade Pierre de Coubertin in Paris, the curtain fell on the illustrious career of Indian hockey legend P.R. Sreejesh. The 36-year-old goalkeeper, a stalwart of the Indian team for two decades, bid farewell to the sport he had dedicated his life to.Sreejesh's journey began in the non-hockey state of Kerala. Driven by an unyielding passion, he rose through the ranks, becoming a beacon of hope for aspiring hockey players from his home state. His international debut came in 2006, and he quickly established himself as one of the world's finest goalkeepers.Over the years, Sreejesh witnessed the highs and lows of Indian hockey. He was part of the team that failed to qualify for the 2008 Olympics, a crushing blow for the nation. But he remained steadfast, his determination unwavering.In 2012, India reached the quarterfinals of the Olympics, a testament to Sreejesh's leadership and skill. Four years later, in Rio, India finished eighth, but Sreejesh's heroics in goal earned him the respect of the hockey world.The pinnacle of Sreejesh's career came in Tokyo in 2020. After a 41-year medal drought, India secured a bronze, with Sreejesh playing a pivotal role. His emotional celebration atop the goalpost became an iconic image, symbolizing the resurgence of Indian hockey.In Paris, Sreejesh repeated his Tokyo heroics, leading India to another bronze medal. His final act on the international stage was a fitting tribute to his unwavering spirit and dedication.As Sreejesh bowed out, he left behind a legacy that will inspire generations to come. His aggressive style of goalkeeping, coupled with his ability to motivate his teammates, made him a true legend of the sport.

Indian men's hockey team goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has revealed that he dabbled in various sports, including shot-put, before settling on hockey as his primary pursuit. In an interview with cricketer Dinesh Karthik on JioCinema's 'Get Set Gold,' Sreejesh shared his reasons for choosing the goalkeeper position: to avoid the strenuous running required of forwards and defenders."Hockey was not easy because you need to bend, you need to play. That was tough for me. And over that, you need to run. I was an overweight guy. I didn't like running at all," Sreejesh explained. "So, I have seen these goalkeepers in full kit, standing in a corner and kicking the ball. I thought that was pretty funny because they're not doing anything. They're not running. They're just wearing the pad and kicking the ball. So, I thought this was the right position for me because you don't need to run. You're a part of the hockey team and you'll get grace marks."However, Sreejesh emphasized that being a hockey goalkeeper requires a certain level of "craziness" to perform at the highest level. "The goalkeeper has to be a crazy person. Crazy, because you just need to have the guts to stand in front of that ball. The second thing is aggression, you need to be an aggressive person, and those reflexes have to be there. You don't get much time to just think, 'Save.' No, you just need to save it. Then you realize, 'Okay, I made that save,'" he said.Sreejesh's journey to hockey began with shot-put in his school days due to his overweight and shorter stature. He then tried football and volleyball but found his calling in hockey. Despite initially choosing the goalkeeper position to avoid running, he has since become one of the most decorated players in Indian hockey history.Sreejesh is the only Indian men's player to win the World Games Athlete of the Year award (2021). He has also won 16 international medals, including an Olympic Bronze (2020), two Asian Games Gold medals (2014, 2022), two Commonwealth Games Silver medals (2014, 2022), and four Asian Champions Trophy Gold medals (2011, 2016, 2018, 2023).Sreejesh is expected to represent India in men's field hockey at the Paris 2024 Olympics. India has been seeded with Belgium, Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, and Ireland in Group B of the tournament.