TV
Former goalkeeper PR Sreejesh was instrumental in the Indian men's hockey team’s bronze-winning feat at the recently concluded Paris Olympics. The veteran custodian stood like a rock of Gibraltar behind the bar to thwart many goal-scoring opportunities by the opposition teams to help the Men in Blue finish at a prestigious third position in the marquee event.
To honour the legendary hockey superstar, Hockey India permanently retired his jersey No. 16 – from the senior men’s team. To pass on his expertise in hockey to the younger generation, Sreejesh has also been recently appointed as the new head coach of the junior men’s hockey team.
Upon his arrival in Bhubaneswar along with the entire Indian hockey team for a felicitation programme by the Odisha government, Sreejesh opened up in an exclusive interview with OTV.
Talking about his retirement, Sreejesh said that the Paris Olympics was a great platform to announce his retirement from hockey- more so, after winning the bronze medal.
“Paris Olympics was the best time to announce my retirement as the team played well and I also performed to the best of my abilities,” said Sreejesh.
“India will get better goalkeepers than me. When Sachin (Tendulkar) retired, everybody was apprehensive that India would not get a better player than Sachin. However, Kohli (Virat Kohli) and other talented young players came. The same thing will happen in the case of Indian hockey as well,” he added.
Sreejesh hailed the Odisha government for extending its sponsorship to Indian hockey.
“It’s a huge thing for a state government to become the title sponsor of the Indian hockey team. They are providing all kinds of facilities. Bhubaneswar is one of the best hockey venues across the globe. We get so much love and support from the crowd here,” said Sreejesh.
Talking about his next stint as the head coach of the junior men’s hockey team, Sreejesh said, “I will take a break and spend some time with my family before joining the junior team.”
Odisha has produced so many defenders. However, the State has failed to produce enough drag flickers and forward line players. Reflecting on the development, Sreejesh said that it might be due to the impact of Dilip Bhai. (Former India captain and Odia hockey superstar Dilip Tirkey).
“When a legendary defender like Dilip Bhai is here who will want to be drag flickers. Well, Amit Rohidas is our second or third-line drag-flicker. In the coming days, we will require more drag flickers and forward-line players to score more goals. Odisha should rope in quality forward line coaches and train youngsters,” said Sreejesh.
“We were overwhelmed after receiving this rousing welcome in Odisha. It was a great feeling to see so many people cheering us during the roadshow in Bhubaneswar. I have some great memories in Bhubaneswar. I just can’t forget the kind of love and support we have received in Bhubaneswar,” he signed off.
