Hockey
Kerala govt announces Rs 2 crore cash reward for PR Sreejesh
Sreejesh retired from hockey at the recently concluded Paris Olympics 2024 after he guided India to a bronze medal-winning performance.
The Kerala government announced a Rs 2 crore cash reward for PR Sreejesh, the former India men's hockey team goalkeeper.
Sreejesh won back-to-back Olympic medals at the Tokyo and Paris Olympics. This was the first time since the 1972 Munich Olympics that the Indian men's hockey team won a medal in consecutive Olympics.
A Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan decided in this regard, a CMO statement said.
"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 statement issued by the government said.
Sreejesh retired from hockey at the recently concluded Paris Olympics 2024 after he guided the team to a bronze medal-winning performance in Paris.
The 36-year-old was impressive throughout the tournament. Because of his impeccable performance, India conceded not too many goals in the Paris Olympics.
In the bronze medal playoff, when Spain tried to break the Indian defence, Sreejesh maintained vigil and defended India's 2-1 lead.
India also beat New Zealand, Australia, Great Britain and Ireland en route to their semifinal appearance. In the semifinal, a dying-minute goal by Germany dashed India's hope of playing in the final.
Srejesh, who hails from Kizhakkambalam in Kerala, started his national career with India in 2004 against Australia. He also won two Asian Games gold in 2014 and 2023 apart from four Asian Champions Trophy titles, with the latest feat coming in Chennai in 2023.