Sun Jan 26 14:25:40 UTC 2025: ## Hockey Legend Sreejesh to Receive Padma Bhushan, Four Other Sports Stars Honored with Padma Shri
**New Delhi, [Date]** – Five Indian sports figures will be recognized with prestigious Padma Awards this year, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced on Sunday. PR Sreejesh, a former goalkeeper for the Indian men’s hockey team, will receive the Padma Bhushan, the nation’s third-highest civilian award. This makes him only the second hockey player to receive this honor after Major Dhyan Chand.
Joining Sreejesh in the accolades are four recipients of the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award: cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin, footballer IM Vijayan, Paralympic archer Harvinder Singh, and para-athletics coach Satyapal Singh.
Sreejesh’s illustrious 18-year career included 336 international matches and bronze medals at both the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics. Ashwin, recently retired, is India’s second-highest Test wicket-taker. Vijayan was a key player for India’s national football team for over a decade. Singh created history by winning India’s first-ever Paralympic gold medal in archery at Paris 2024, overcoming a childhood illness that left him with impaired leg movement. Satyapal Singh, a prominent coach in para-athletics, mentored Paris 2024 gold medalist Praveen Kumar.
A total of 139 individuals will receive Padma Awards in 2025, including seven Padma Vibhushan, 19 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri awards. The awards will be presented by the President of India at a ceremony in March or April.
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