The 36-year-old Sreejesh, who retired after winning a second successive Olympic bronze with the national team in the Paris Games last year, is currently the head coach of the junior India men's team.

Legendary Indian footballer IM Vijayan, and India's first Paralympic gold medal-winning archer Harvinder Singh too were named for the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian honour

Indian midfielder Shamsher Singh, who is currently co-captaining Delhi SG Pipers in the ongoing Hockey India League that India's bronze medal at the Paris Olympics was farewell gift to the legendary PR Sreejesh

Back-to-back Olympic medals after a hiatus of 50 years and the revival of the much-awaited HIL lit up the year for Indian hockey which also saw one of its biggest stars walk into sunset after a glorious career.

PR Sreejesh prevailed over Netherlands' Pirmin Blaak, Luis Calzado of Spain, Jean-Paul Danneberg of Germany and Argentina's Tomas Santiago to bag the top honour.

Indian men's hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh has been named Player of the Year 2024 while retired goalkeeper PR Sreejesh was awarded Goalkeeper of the Year accolade

"The team has been training well under the new head coach PR Sreejesh and we are excited to play our first tournament with him," captain Amir Ali said in a release.

Retired hockey legend PR Sreejesh manned the Indian goal like a wall and made some crucial saves during the country's bronze-winning campaign at the recent Paris Olympics

PR Sreejesh has expressed deep gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for recognising the immense sacrifices made by his family to enable his on-field exploits.

Retired Indian hockey star P R Sreejesh has shared a letter that he received from Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently in which the leader has lauded the former goalkeeper