Celebrated Indian hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh announced on Monday that he will bid farewell to the game after the Paris Olympics, ending an 18-year career during which he was a central figure in some historic moments for the team. The 36-year-old, a veteran of 328 caps including three Olympic Games and several Commonwealth Games and World Cups, will play his fourth Olympics in Paris from July 26. , I look back with immense pride and forward with hope,” Sreejesh said in a Hockey India press release.
“This journey has been extraordinary and I will forever be grateful for the love and support of my family, teammates, coaches, fans and Hockey India.
“My teammates have been by my side in difficult and fiery moments. We all want to do our best here in Paris and, certainly, the desire is to change the color of our medal”, he added, referring to perhaps the greatest moment of his career – a bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
After making his debut at the 2006 South Asian Games, Sreejesh was part of several memorable victories for India, including a gold at the 2014 Asian Games and a bronze medal at the 2018 Asiad in Jakarta-Palembang.
He was also present in the 2018 Asian Champions Trophy winning team and the 2019 FIH Men’s Series Finals winning team in Bhubaneswar.
The affable goalkeeper also played a crucial role in the silver medal-winning team at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Sreejesh was one of the key architects of India’s historic bronze medal win at the Tokyo Olympics and captain Harmanpreet Singh said the team will try to secure another medal at the Paris Games this time to make Sreejesh’s last tournament a memorable one.
“Paris 2024 will truly be a special tournament. We decided to dedicate our campaign to PR legend Sreejesh,” said Harmanpreet.
“He has been an inspiration to us all and I still remember his guidance at the 2016 Junior World Cup when we won the title. It was the beginning of many of our international hockey careers and he shaped each of our careers in his career. own path.
“We want to ‘win for Sreejesh’ and are even more encouraged to stand on the podium once again.” The Kerala man, who also played a vital role in India’s third-place finish in the 2021/22 Hockey Pro League, was awarded the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in 2021.
He is only the second sportsperson from India to win the World Games Athlete of the Year award in 2021. Additionally, he has won consecutive FIH Goalkeeper of the Year awards in 2021 and 2022.
Last year, Sreejesh featured prominently in India’s gold medal campaign at the Asian Games, which sealed the team’s place at the Paris Olympics.
Congratulating Sreejesh on his stellar career, HI President Dilip Tirkey said, “Sreejesh was barely 18 or 19 when I first saw him in the Indian camp and if I remember correctly, he made his international debut when I was captain of the Indian team.
“He is a very special player and my heart is filled with joy and gratitude for his exemplary contribution to Indian hockey. This match in Paris will certainly be special for the team.
“I believe Sreejesh’s decision will only further encourage the team to stand on the podium once again and make it truly special not just for Sreejesh but for the entire hockey fraternity. I wish him and the team the best.” HI general secretary Bhola Nath Singh also paid glowing tributes to Sreejesh.
“Sreejesh is a legend, an inspiration to the entire nation and I congratulate him on a fantastic career full of laurels that has brought honor and pride to the nation.
“Hockey India respects his decision to retire after the Paris Olympics, making this tournament truly special not just for the team but also for Indian hockey fans. I wish him and the team the best in their campaign.” The Indian hockey team will begin its Olympic campaign on July 27 against New Zealand, followed by Argentina (July 29), Ireland (July 30), Belgium (August 1) and Australia (August 2).
The Indian hockey team arrived in Paris after training in Switzerland for the Games.
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