New Delhi: India’s PR Sreejesh and Savita Punia were adjudged as the men’s and women’s goalkeeper of the year for the second time in a row at the International Hockey Federation (FIH) Awards on Wednesday. Sreejesh has been an integral part of the team representing India for the past 16 years. A statement issued by the FIH praised Sreejesh, saying that despite his age, PR Sreejesh’s career continues to grow and the 34-year-old Indian player continues to raise the level of his game. About Savita, it was said that Savita was brilliant in defending the Indian goalpost. He successfully defended the goal many times in impossible situations. So it’s no surprise that she gets almost twice as many votes as any other goalkeeper around the world.
Sreejesh got a total of 39.9 percent marks for this award. Loic van Doren of Belgium was second with 26.3 points and Primin Black of the Netherlands was third with 23.2 points. This percentage of votes was based on polls by experts 40%, team 20%, fans 20% and media 20%. 32-year-old Savita secured 37.6 percent marks. Argentinian legend Belen Susi is second with 26.4 percent while Australian legend Jocelyn Bartom is third with 16 percent points.
Sreejesh became the third to win the Goalkeeper of the Year award while Savita also became only the third female player
Sreejesh is the third player to win the FIH Goalkeeper of the Year award twice in a row. Previously, David Hurt (Ire) in 2015 and 2016 and Vincent Vanache (Belgium) won three times in a row from 2017 to 2019. Savita is only the third player to win the Goalkeeper of the Year (Women) award for two consecutive terms, starting in 2014.
Savita expressed her surprise and happiness at being declared the goalkeeper of the year
Savita, who is in Gujarat for the National Games, said that this is definitely a big surprise and a lot of fun. I am sure many Indian hockey fans have voted for us and I thank each and every one of them. Savita was instrumental in the team’s third-place finish in their maiden campaign of the FIH Pro League 2021-22. The Indian captain made 57 defenses in 14 matches during this period.