Focused on hectic 2022 calendar, short-term target is to play for one more year, says 'World Games Athlete of the Year' PR Sreejesh

PR Sreejesh met former India coach Harendra Singh back in 2002, he didn't have proper pads. Wearing a lungi, the last thing anyone could imagine was that the young boy from Kerala was a budding goalkeeper. In the two decades since that day, the medal corner in Sreejesh's house is led by an Olympic bronze and an Asian Games gold. Wonder what those who thought a 'rock' in the post was better than Sreejesh would be feeling now. Earlier this week, Sreejesh's popularity among his fans translated into another addition to his trophy cabinet. After women's team captain Rani last year, it was the turn of Sreejesh to win the 'World Games Athlete of the Year' award for 2021. In an interview with TimesofIndia.com, the 33-year-old veteran lived through his journey while taking some tough questions, including his thoughts on retirement and some of the criticism around global awards decided by online voting. Excerpts...After the highs of guarding the goal post in Tokyo, you have scaled another peak. Two Indians in a row now as 'World Games Athlete of the Year', and both from hockey -- Rani last year and you this year...When I got this nomination, I was really happy and so thrilled. Getting nominated was in itself a big achievement for me...This is a global award. So when FIH (International Hockey Federation) nominated me, that made me so happy. I did have a positive vibe, that there is a chance for me to win this. Definitely Rani showed it last time. She had a huge difference in the number of total votes. So I believed that I would get it. Will this award pep you up to maybe go that extra mile in what could be called the twilight of your career after the Olympic bronze?

(Photo: PR Sreejesh Twitter)We work our entire life to win an