Chennai, 11th August 2023: Hockey India on Friday congratulated the Indian Men’s Hockey Team goalkeeper PR Sreejesh for earning his 300th International Cap. The goalkeeper, who hails from Kizhakkambalam, Kerala, achieved the feat during India’s Semi-Final match of the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Chennai 2023 against Japan at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium, Chennai.
~The goalkeeper from Kerala achieved the milestone during India’s Semi-Final match against Japan in Chennai~
India have been unbeaten so far at the ongoing Hero Asian Champions Trophy Chennai 2023, winning their first game 7-2 against China, drawing 1-1 against Japan in their second match, beating Malaysia 5-0, winning against South Korea 3-2, and then beating arch-rivals Pakistan 4-0. Sreejesh, who has featured in all the five games so far, has played an important role guarding the goalpost during the tournament.
The 34-year-old goalkeeper is one of the most experienced players in the current Indian squad. Sreejesh has four appearances at the prestigious FIH Hockey World Cup. Sreejesh made his India debut at the 2010 World Cup in New Delhi and since then he has been a pivotal member of the team. He represented the country at almost all the major international tournaments including the 2010, 2014, 2018 Hockey Men’s World Cup and 2023 Hockey Men’s World Cup, Commonwealth Games in 2014, 2018 and 2022; and three Olympic Games – London 2012, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, where he helped the team clinch the historic Bronze medal.
He was also part of India’s Bronze Medal feat at the 18th Asian Games Jakarta-Palembang, joint winners of Hero Asian Champions Trophy in 2018, Gold Medal winning team of 2019 FIH Men’s Series Finals in Bhubaneswar and Silver Medal winning team at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. He was instrumental in India’s third-place finish at the FIH Hockey Pro League 2021/22. Sreejesh was awarded the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in 2021 and is only the second sportsperson from India to win the World Games Athlete of the Year 2021. He has also won back-to-back FIH Goalkeeper of the Year awards in 2021 and 2022, respectively. Prior to the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Chennai 2023, Sreejesh was part of the Indian Men’s Hockey Team which went to Spain to play in the 100th Anniversary Spanish Hockey Federation- International Tournament.
Speaking on the milestone, Sreejesh said, “I am privileged to have represented India for more than two decades and earning my 300th International Cap is truly a special memory for me. I will always give my best each time I will get the opportunity to wear the Indian jersey. I would like to thank Hockey India, my teammates and the support staff for their constant support over the years.”
Congratulating PR Sreejesh on the accomplishment, Hockey India President Padma Shri Dr. Dilip Tirkey said, “I congratulate PR Sreejesh for reaching this mega milestone. It is a special and memorable for any player to wear the Indian Jersey for the 300th time. Sreejesh has become a source for inspiration and he has proved his mettle with some remarkable performances over the past few years. I am sure that he will continue to make the country proud and add more accolades to his name going forward.”
India Men’s Hockey Team Results and Schedule:
3rd August 2023: India 7- 2 China
4th August 2023: India 1-1 Japan
6th August 2023: Malaysia 0-5 India
7th August 2023: Korea 2-3 India
9th August 2023: India 4-0 Pakistan
11th August 2023: India vs Japan at 2030 IST (Semi-Final)
Hero Asian Champions Trophy Chennai 2023 will be live on Star Sports and FanCode. It will also be live streamed on watch.hockey for viewing outside of India.
HOCKEY INDIA TEAM PARTNERS
Odisha (India’s Best Kept Secret) – Major Team Partner
Sports Authority of India (SAI)
Shiv Naresh
About HOCKEY INDIA
HOCKEY INDIA (HI) is the governing body with exclusive mandate to direct and conduct all activities for both men and women’s hockey in India. It is recognized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Govt. of India as the sole body responsible towards promoting Hockey in India.
Headquartered in New Delhi, Hockey India was established on 20th May, 2009 and is affiliated to the International Hockey Federation (FIH), the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and Asian Hockey Federation (AHF).
Committed to the development of Hockey in the country, Hockey India with the assistance of Sports Authority of India and Department of Sports, Government of India, trains players at sub-junior, junior and senior level. The governing body engages in Coaching the coaches with International Standard certification programs, educates and equips technical officials and umpires to find a foothold in international arena, provides world-class infrastructure and International exposure for the players besides regular international competition. Hockey India has also pioneered in bringing top International hockey events to India such as the FIH Men’s World Cup in 2010 and 2018, FIH Champions Trophy in 2014, FIH Junior Men’s World Cup in 2016 and 2021, FIH Hockey World League Final in 2017. With its vision to popularize the game and constantly promote it, Hockey India brought the Indian Men’s Hockey Team into the top three in the world. Hockey India is also dedicated to getting the Indian Women’s Hockey Team into the top three in the world.
About ODISHA
Odisha – the Eastern State of India – is known for its love for Hockey and over the years it has evolved to be the Global Hub of Hockey. The State successfully hosted the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018, followed by the FIH Men’s Series Finals Bhubaneswar Odisha, FIH Olympic Qualifiers Odisha, and FIH Hockey Pro League 2020-21. Odisha has previously hosted the Champions Trophy 2014 and the Odisha Men’s Hockey World League Final Bhubaneswar 2017. Odisha also hosted the FIH Men’s Hockey Junior World Cup in 2021.
Kalinga Lancers, the team owned by the State, were the winners in the Hockey India League 2017. Taking a step further towards realising the dream of restoring the glory of Indian Hockey at the global level, the State is sponsoring the Indian Hockey Teams till 2033.
Odisha also hosted the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023.
