PR Sreejesh, a celebrated former goalkeeper for the Indian hockey team, is set to receive the prestigious Bharat Gourav award from East Bengal on August 1. This makes him only the second athlete to earn this honor, following the legendary Sourav Ganguly.
East Bengal will mark its foundation day with a grand celebration, where award recipients will be recognized for their achievements. Sreejesh, a two-time Olympic bronze medallist, has had an impressive career. Besides his Olympic success, he’s played a key role in winning gold at the 2014 and 2022 Asian Games and securing four gold medals in the Asian Champions Trophy.
After hanging up his boots, Sreejesh transitioned to coaching, taking the reins of the Indian men’s junior team. His commitment to nurturing young talent reflects the positive shift in Indian sports towards developing future stars.
On the same day, East Bengal will also honor other sporting talents. Lifetime Achievement Awards will be given to esteemed former football captains Satyajit Mitra and Mihir Bose. Additionally, Kanishk Seth will be celebrated as the Best Cricketer of the Year, while the Best Footballer titles go to Souvik Chakrabarti and Soumya Guguloth. The event will also see awards for the Best Referees and the Pride of Bengal Award for midfielder Sangita Basfore.
Notably, the presence of prominent figures like Sports Minister Aroop Biswas and Mayor Firhad Hakim underscores the significance of this event in promoting sports in the region.
This recognition comes at a time when sports in India are gaining momentum, with increasing investments and efforts to improve infrastructure and training facilities. According to a report by the KPMG, Indian sports industry is projected to grow significantly, with hockey enjoying a revival in popularity.
Sreejesh’s journey offers inspiration to both athletes and fans. Not only does it highlight individual achievement, but it also emphasizes the growing respect for sports in Indian culture. As sports continue to evolve, figures like Sreejesh pave the way for generations to come, nurturing talent and fostering a love for the game.
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PR Sreejesh, Bharat Gourav award, East Bengal, Indian hockey team, Olympic bronze medallist, Asian Games gold medals, Indian men's junior team coach, Lifetime Achievement awards
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