Indian hockey goalkeeper and Olympic bronze-medal winner PR Sreejesh has expressed his happines and desire to popularise the game (sport)by taking it to school and college level, at being awarded the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.
To end a four-decade-long medal drought, India won the Tokyo Olympics bronze defeating Germany , at the quadrennial games.
The Khel Ratna award which is given to outstanding performances and highest sports honour conferred by the Indian government .
“I wish I am able to take hockey to schools and if the Hockey India League (HIL) is revived, it could open numerous opportunities for youngsters,” said the goalkeeping stalwart.
Sreejesh is a former captain of the national side and has recently been promoted to the rank of director in the Kerala Education department.
The 33-year-old, who hails from Kochi, used to represent Uttar Pradesh Wizards in the Hockey India League. The last edition of the HIL was played in 2017.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan congratulated Sreejesh for winning the Khel Ratna.
