Former India men’s hockey team goalkeeper PR Sreejesh stated that the nation has given him with more than he has contributed to the sport after receiving the Padma Bhushan award on Saturday, January 25. Sreejesh was one of the 5 athletes who received the Padma awards on Saturday, the day before Republic Day.
Sreejesh, who concluded his hockey career after assisting India in clinching the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, shared his thoughts on receiving the award. The ex-goalkeeper stated that he had been anticipating the official announcement, even though he received a call from the sports ministry on Saturday morning. Sreejesh mentioned that everything was racing through his mind like a recollection.
“I got a call from the sports ministry in the morning but was waiting for the official announcement till evening. All this time, everything was going on in my mind like a flashback. I was watching a Hockey India League match in Rourkela when the awards were announced,” Sreejesh told PTI Bhasha in an interview.
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Sreejesh stated that he initially contacted his parents and wife to tell them about the award, followed by a call to his previous junior team coach, Harendra Singh. The hockey icon believed that the accolade demonstrates that the nation continues to recognize him for his contributions to the sport.
“My first call was to my parents and wife in Kerala, without whom this journey would not have been possible. After this, I called Harendra sir (Singh), under whose guidance I made my debut in the Indian junior team,” Sreejesh said.
“Receiving this award after retiring from the game has made me feel that the country is honouring me for whatever I have done for Indian hockey in the last 20 years. I want to thank my country which has given me back more than what I gave,” he said.
