NEW DELHI: Malayali India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh and women’s team goalkeeper Savitha Puniak have been awarded the International Hockey Federation (FIH) Goalkeeper of the Year. This is the second time in a row that the two have received this honour. Sreejesh played 16 league matches for India, who 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 past few years. Sreejesh got 39.9 points. Hockey experts, teams, fans and journalists decided the winners by voting online. Sreejesh has played 250 international matches and is the first Indian goalkeeper to achieve this feat. Sreejesh said that this award will inspire him to improve his performance as the World Cup will be held in India next year.
With 37.6 points, Savitha Makicha became the women’s goalkeeper. Savita’s achievement pushed Argentine legend Belen Suchi into second place.
