Arjuna recommendation a recognition for goalkeepers: Sreejesh

KOCHI: The keeper of Indian hockey’s fortunes P R Sreejesh has been chosen for the country’s prestigious sporting honour, the Arjuna award.

The man from Kochi was one of the prominent names selected by the awards committee headed by Justice V K Bali on Tuesday. He is the first male hockey player from Kerala to be nominated for the Arjuna. Last year, five Malayalis were given the honour but Sreejesh is the only athlete from Kerala this time.

“Ever since I was blessed with a baby girl all good things are happening in my life. The TOISA award which I received in May was my first national level recognition. I took it as a good omen. I knew my name was under the consideration of Arjuna award selection panel. The Arjuna award is a huge honour for any sportsperson and I am absolutely thrilled,” Sreejesh told TOI from Terrassa in Spain on Tuesday, where he is currently on a tour with the Indian hockey team.

It was Sreejesh’s two stunning saves in the penalty shootout against Pakistan in Asian Games final last year which propelled India’s qualification for Rio Olympics.

And the 27-year old from Kizhakkambalam in Kochi reckons that his performance in Incheon that day paved the way for his Arjuna nomination. “I still get goosebumps when I think of my performance against Pakistan in Incheon. I am sure that performance and the silver medal winning show in Glasgow helped me in getting this award sooner than expected,” said Sreejesh.

It is after a 12-year hiatus a male goalkeeper is being recommended for Arjuna award. “I take this nomination as a recognition not just for hockey but for goalkeepers as well. Most often, we have seen that individual awards in the game go to goal scorers. But nowadays a few critical saves give goalkeepers as much attention and helps them in getting individual honours. So if my award recommendation helps two young kids to take up goalkeeping tomorrow, I will be most happy,” quipped Sreejesh.

Though Indian hockey is undergoing a turbulent period, Sreejesh is wise enough not to react on the controversies in his moment of glory and treats bygones as bygones. “Our focus is on Rio Olympics and we don’t even have a year. We are chalking out strategies with Roelant Oltmans and our endeavor is to give our best. A medal at Olympics would be tough but if we work hard nothing is beyond us,” Sreejesh spells out his Rio dreams.

For a man who joined the GV Raja Sports School in Thiruvananthapuram as an athlete, Sreejesh’s transition as one of the best goalkeepers in modern hockey is remarkable, feels N Ramesh Kolappa who along with S Jayakumar compelled Sreejesh to take up hockey. “He was reluctant to take up hockey at first. But both me and Jayakumar felt he had all the right ingredients to be a good hockey goalkeeper. And now our decision has been vindicated. Arjuna award is just one of the many recognitions awaiting Sreejesh if he continues his hard work,” said Kolappa.