P R Sreejesh appointed co-chair of the FIH Athlete Panel

Former Indian men’s hockey team captain and its goalkeeper goalkeepers PR Sreejesh and Camila Caram of Chile have been appointed by the International Hockey Federation (FIH)  as co-chairs of the FIH Athletes Committee. This was announced by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) on 27 March 2024. 

President Dilip Tirkey of Hockey India welcomed the appointment of PR Sreejesh.

Role of PS Sreejesh as co-chair of FIH Athletes Committee

Camila Caram has been assigned co-chair and athlete committee representative on the executive board. PR Sreejesh, former Indian men’s hockey team captain, is the co-chair, and he will lead the planning and meetings along with Caram.

35-year-old PR Sreejesh was first elected a member of the FIH Athletes Committee in 2017. He has been appointed co-chair of the committee for the first time.

FIH Athletes Committee

The FIH Athletes Committee comprises former and current hockey players. It acts as a link between the players and the international governing body for hockey. The FIH Athletes Committee makes recommendations to various FIH bodies like the FIH Executive Board, FIH Committees, Advisory Panels and other bodies for the development and betterment of hockey worldwide. 

The committee liaison with the Athletes’ Commission of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and other sporting organisations to enable the sharing of information and research to develop the game of hockey.

About PR Sreejesh 

PR Sreejesh was born into a family of farmers in the Kizhakkambalam village of Ernakulam district in Kerala. He made his Indian debut at the 2006 South Asian Games in Sri Lanka. He has represented India in three Summer Olympics. 

He was part of the Indian team which won a gold medal at the 2014 Asian Games, ending a 16-year drought. 

He was also part of the Indian team, which won a bronze medal in the 2015 FIH Hockey World League Final.

PR Sreejesh was also part of the Indian squad that won the silver medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. 

PR Sreejesh got the sports  Arjuna Award in 2015 and the civilian award Padam Shri In 2017.

He was made the captain of the Indian hockey team in 2016.

FIH 

A Frenchman named Paul Léautey founded the Fédération Internationale de Hockey sur Gazon (FIH)  on 7 January 1924.

In 1982, the International Federation of Women's Hockey Associations merged with the FIH.

After the merger, FIH is the world governing body of men’s and women’s hockey.

Members: 140 countries federation

Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland

President: Tayyab Ikram