P.R. Sreejesh won the ‘Sportstar of the year (male)’ award at the 2025 Sportstar Aces Awards that was held at the Taj Mahal Palace here on Friday.
Sreejesh, among the best goalkeepers in India’s hockey history, played a key role in the nation’s bronze medal win at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Sreejesh received the award from Binod Mishra, Deputy Managing Director, State Bank Of India, and tennis legend Leander Paes.
Sreejesh retired from the sport after the Paris high. “It is quite hard to comprehend that I am now a former player. Everywhere I go now, people call me former player and coach. This is very new to me,” Sreejesh said.
“The Indian team’s back-to-back Olympics medals at Tokyo and Paris has given hockey a big boost. The Hockey India League has also given a great platform to young Indian hockey players,” Sreejesh said.
“To see my face on the cover of the Sportstar magazine recently will serve as great motivation for young hockey players. It was my childhood dream to be on the cover of Sportstar magazine,” Sreejesh added.
Others recognised
Shooter Manu Bhaker, who won two medals at the Paris Olympics, won the ‘Sportstar of the year (female)’ award.
The Indian men’s chess team and women’s chess team won the ‘National team of the year’ award. At the 45th Chess Olympiad, the Indian men’s and women’s teams both won gold medals.
Gurbux Singh, who was a member of the Indian hockey team that won the gold medal at the 1964 Summer Olympics and the bronze medal at the 1968 Summer Olympics, claimed the ‘Lifetime achievement award’. The second ‘Lifetime achievement award’ went to Mary D’Souza Sequeira, a female Olympian who competed internationally in athletics and hockey.
