Setting the precedence on why athletes should hang up their boots on a high, India’s legendary goalkeeper, PR Sreejesh opened up on why he chose to call time on his international hockey career after playing a massive role in India’s bronze medal at the Paris Olympics 2024.
After giving 18 years’ worth of blood, sweat and tears to the Indian hockey team, he called it quits at the end of the Parisian Games and the Indian custodian was felicitated by Hockey India with a grand event in Delhi upon the team’s return. The 2-time Olympic bronze medal winner was hailed as the ‘God of Modern Indian Hockey’.
From the head coach to the fans, many wondered why the Kerala-born goalkeeper had decided to mark the end of his career, despite putting up some fine performances between the posts. To answer that Sreejesh revealed a piece of wisdom he had received, which proved to be the reason behind his decision to call time on his international career.
Sreejesh revealed, “I answered this question before as well. I had received one brilliant piece of advice. When you retire, people should ask why have you retired and not why haven’t you (retired). It shouldn’t be the case where people say you are old now leave and let someone younger play or they are playing better than you. Better than hearing that is to leave on your own terms.
Even the coach told me that tomorrow it is possible that I might have to take you out of the team as well. Then you will have some regrets thinking that you should have left. That’s the whole point of this function. To set an example for the younger generation,” he added.
Being too attached to playing a sport at the highest level can lead to players overstaying their time, thus leading to transitional issues among many others. But Sreejesh remains a team player even during his farewell where he hopes to set an example for the next generation as he ends his international playing career with his head held high and set the standard on how the next big Indian hockey legends should be treated.
“I have never seen a hockey player being lifted on the shoulders and say goodbye. I felt that it was the right time to set an example that when you think yes, I’m good, I’m done, I have played my best hockey, we should have our heads held high and leave from the ground itself, the veteran Indian goalkeeper shared.
There are so many legends here, look at Sardar Singh himself, he also did not have a massive send-off, everyone has given 15-20 years of their lives to the sport. People should feel like, yes he has done something and he deserves a send-off,” he added.
Hailing the legendary career of Sreejesh, the India Men’s Hockey Head Coach, Craig Fulton also commented on why the Indian stalwart makes him so special. From his constant hunger to improve and his immense abilities between the posts, Fulton shared some kind words about Sreejesh.
“As a person, he weighs his heart on his sleeve. You’ll know when he’s not happy and when he is (happy). That’s the beautiful thing about him. He’s also a gifted hockey player. He has talent, and he’s shown that talent, but he also hasn’t sat on his laurels. He’s actually worked hard to improve himself because you can’t stay on top of goalkeeping. If you don’t improve and you don’t know yourself and know how to get better, it does not make it easy because goalkeeping is a tough job, and one mistake can be costly, Fulton commented.
You’ve got to love your keeper and we really love Sree. I think this is just the least we can do for you. Honestly celebrate your career and we look forward to you wherever you go and how will you evolve. We don’t want to lose you and you always talk about whatever you want to come back,” he added.
Now Indian hockey will have some massive shoes to fill in the goalkeeping spot, and Hockey India already has some names in mind that are likely to make their moves to be next in line for the position and take Indian hockey to even greater heights.
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