New Delhi: PR Sreejesh, former goalkeeper of the Indian Men’s Hockey Team and current coach of the Indian Junior Men’s Team, has been honored with the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award. Hockey India proudly congratulated Sreejesh for receiving this prestigious recognition.
This remarkable recognition places Sreejesh alongside the legendary Major Dhyan Chand, making him only the second hockey player in history to receive the Padma Bhushan. Dhyan Chand was bestowed with this honour in 1956, and nearly seven decades later, Sreejesh’s contribution to Indian hockey earns him a place among the greats.
Celebrated as the “God of Modern Indian Hockey,” Sreejesh enjoyed a glittering 18-year international career, earning 336 caps for India before bidding farewell to professional hockey after the Paris 2024 Olympics. True to form, he delivered a series of stunning performances to help India clinch a Bronze medal, following up on the historic Bronze win at Tokyo 2020.
Throughout his distinguished career, Sreejesh collected numerous accolades, including the FIH Goalkeeper of the Year Award three times (2021, 2022, and 2024), the Arjuna Award in 2015, the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in 2021, and the World Games Athlete of the Year in 2021. Since making his senior international debut in 2010, he became a backbone of the Indian defense, known for his composure and brilliance under pressure.
Transitioning smoothly into coaching, Sreejesh led the Indian junior team to a memorable Junior Asia Cup title win in November 2024, continuing to contribute to Indian hockey’s growing success story.
