The Kerala government announced a two-crore Rupees cash award for former Indian hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh after the stalwart custodian helped the national side to their second Olympics bronze on the bounce at the recently concluded Summer Games in Paris.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan chaired the meeting that decided to honour the shot-stopper with the reward after his swansong campaign in the French Capital city.
“P R Sreejesh, who was a member of the Indian hockey team that won a bronze medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics, will be given a cash award of Rs two crore,” the announcement read.
Sreejesh, who has been a crucial cog in the Indian setup for nearly two decades, came up big at the quadrennial in Paris as he helped the team bag the bronze with some incredible performances when the circumstances demanded.
The goalkeeper, who has served as a watchful guardian in Indian colours, has also been named as the coach of the junior side following his decision to hang up his boots, and has been tasked with the responsibility of shaping the future of the national sport with the same.
In a nod to his immense contributions to the sport and the nation, his jersey number was retired by Hockey India.
The 36-year-old was given a hero’s welcome in his home state on his return from the French capital city, where he served as the national contingent’s flagbearer alongside double medallist Manu Bhaker at the closing ceremony.
Sreejesh, who seeks to make the transition from a player to a coach in the next few months, opined that he was delighted with the efforts of the team to claim a second straight podium finish at the sporting spectacle and termed the grand welcome he received on his return as the icing on the cake.
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