The Kerala Government has decided to award Indian Hockey team goalkeeper, PR Sreejesh 2 crores for his performance in the Olympics which led to India winning the bronze medal.
Kerala Sports Minister V. Abdurahman made this announcement at a press conference after the cabinet meeting. The minister also said that along with the 2 crore reward, the 33-year-old goalie will be promoted from the position of Deputy Director to Joint Director of Sports in the general education department.
Sreejesh was given a rousing welcome when he returned to Kochi from the Japanese capital as he rode on an open-top bus, along with the sports minister and MLA Anwar Sadath who is a representative of the opposition. The bus travelled from the airport to his residence in the city.
The minister also announced that other Malayalis who were involved with the Olympics will be rewarded with 5 lakh rupees.
Private individuals like Dr Shamsheer Vayalil, the chairman and managing director of VPS Healthcare in Dubai, also rewarded the medal-winning goalie. Dr Vayalil said that Sreejesh will be awarded 1 crore for his contributions to the Olympics.
PR Sreejesh played a very crucial role for India in their bronze-winning campaign. He gave incredible performances in the quarter-final match against Great Britain and surpassed that with his showing against Germany, where he saved 12 out of 13 penalty corners conceded by India. He, also, saved a chance in the dying minutes of the game keeping the score at 5-4. This led to a historic Indian victory and a bronze medal, something which they have been yearning for since 1980.