Times of India: FIH makes Sreejesh member of Athletes’ Committee

NEW DELHI: The Indian men’s hockey team captain PR Sreejesh on Wednesday became a member of International Hockey Federation (FIH) Athletes’ Committee.

FIH Athletes’ Committee comprises a total of eight current and former hockey players who have the responsibility to act as a liaison between the FIH and the athletes to make sure the players have voice in the FIH decision making process.

Sreejesh, who led the Indian team to a historic silver medal feat at the FIH Champions Trophy in London last year, said he was looking forward to the responsibility bestowed upon him by the FIH.

“It’s a great honour to be part of the FIH Athletes’ Committee which comprises of legendary players like Moritz Fuerste and other international greats. I am looking forward to this new responsibility,” he said.

While Sreejesh’s role will be to seek and provide feedback to the FIH on behalf of all athletes, the Committee also gets to interact with the current athletes in a number of ways including post event surveys for the athletes and coaches to get direct feedbacks from the FIH events.

Organised meetings are also scheduled with the national teams at several events. The aim is to communicate with the players, to update them on the different activities but also to hear from them.

“We get to work together to develop the game and put forth players concerns and suggestions. It’s a great initiative by the FIH to directly involve the players and I look forward to giving my suggestions with the inputs of our coaching staff, my team who I am sure will support me in this new endeavor. I see this as a great responsibility in terms of helping FIH develop the game globally,” said Sreejesh, who is gearing up to play for the Uttar Pradesh Wizards in the Hockey India League, slated to begin on January 21.

The FIH Athletes’ Committee will also need to liaise with the Athletes’ Committee of the IOC and other sporting organisations to enable the sharing of information and research.

The team of eight will also get to develop, collate, provide and promote resources for athletes on topics of direct concern including athlete health and welfare, career preparation and management, anti-doping, betting and match-fixing.