PR Srejeesh becomes second Indian to win World Games Athlete of the Year Award 2021.

Why In News

• Veteran India hockey goalkeeper PR Srejeesh won the prestigious World Games Athlete of the Year for his 2021 performances.
• The other nominated athletes were sport climber Alberto Gines Lopez of Spain and wushu player Michele Giordano of Italy.
• He became the second Indian to receive the accolade.
• In 2020, Indian women’s hockey captain Rani Rampal became the first Indian to win the honour for her performances in 2019.
• PR Srejeesh, who was part of the men’s team that claimed a bronze medal in the Tokyo Olympics.

The International World Games Association

• The International World Games Association (IWGA) is the international association responsible for the direction and control of The World Games.
• Its headquarters are located in Lausanne, Switzerland, and its official language is English
• The World Games are an international multi- sport event  comprising sports  and sporting disciplines that are not contested in the Olympic Games.
• The World Games are governed by the International World Games Association, I  under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee.
• They are usually held every four years, one year after a Summer Olympic Games,   over the course of 11 days.
• The first edition of The World Games was held in Santa Clara, USA in 1981
• The next edition will be held in Birmingham, USA  from 7–17 July 2022, having been delayed one year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.