New Delhi: Indian Malayali goalkeeper PR Sreejesh and women’s team goalkeeper Savitha Puniak have been awarded goalkeeper of the year by the International Hockey Federation (FIH). This is the second consecutive time that both have received this honor. Sreejesh played 16 league games with India, which finished third in the FIH Pro League, and was instrumental in helping the team win a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games.
The hockey federation said in a statement that Sreejesh has continued to perform well despite the passage of the years. Sreejesh scored 39.9 points. Hockey experts, teams, fans and journalists decided the winners through online voting. Sreejesh has played 250 international games and is the first Indian goalkeeper to achieve this feat. Sreejesh said this award will inspire him to improve his performance as the World Cup will be held in India next year.
With 37.6 points, Savita Makicha became the women’s goalkeeper. Savita’s success pushed Argentine legend Belen Suchi to second place.
