Indian hockey Sreejesh as Asiad assured government job

P.R. Sreejesh

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 6 (IANS)

The hero of the Incheon Asian Games men's hockey final, India goalkeeper P. R. Sreejesh has been assured a good Kerala government job by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.

The 26-year-old Sreejesh, who hails from Ernakulam district, had expressed his desire to work in his home state. He is currently employed with Indian Overseas Bank as manager.

Chandy told IANS that it was in 2012 that the state government offered jobs to five Keralite sportspersons who had jobs outside the state and it was only Sreejesh who accepted the offer.

"We then decided to offer him the job of a sports officer, a post equivalent to an assistant education officer in the education department," said Chandy.

"But now he is employed in a managerial post drawing a handsome salary so I have decided to present his case in the cabinet meeting on Wednesday and a final decision with regards to his post and salary would be taken."

Sreejesh made his debut with the senior national team in 2006 at the South Asian Games in Colombo and since then has been a permanent feature in the Indian team.

At the Asian Games, the vice-captain did a sterling job by defending his goal, when the final against Pakistan went into penalty shootouts where Sreejesh saved two shots, ensuring India the gold medal.

Sreejesh plays for the Mumbai Magicians in the Hockey India League.