Sreejesh’s career is one that shall stand the test of time, and one that shall evolve as the legendary Indian keeper is set to take on his new role as the coach of the Junior hockey team. And, he’s got his fellow Paris Olympics flagbearer Manu Bhaker to vouch for the same.
Sreejesh, 36, has become an icon in Indian hockey by winning back-to-back Olympic bronze medals to call it time on his decorated career.
The Indian men’s hockey team clinched a second successive bronze medal in the Olympic Games – a fitting farewell for veteran India custodian PR Sreejesh, nicknamed ‘The Great Indian Wall of Indian hockey’, who drew curtains on his illustrious 18-year-old career.
At an event hosted by Hockey India to celebrate the legendary keeper’s career and his retirement from the game, Sreejesh was awarded with a trophy and also a cash prize of INR 25 Lakhs.
Following the same, HI President Bhola Nath Singh also announced that the number 16 jersey that Sreejesh donned throughout his career shall be retired at the senior level, and also revealed the keeper as the new coach of the Indian Junior Hockey team.
Multiple sporting personalites were invited, and the ace shooter Bhaker too delivered a speech, referring to Sreejesh as the ‘coolest coach’ the young Junior side could have.
“You’re someone who’s always laughing and cracking jokes. So, you’ll be the coolest coach ever,” stated a coy Bhaker.
The flagbearers from every nation carried their flag with pride as double medallist Manu Bhaker and bronze-winning hockey team goalie PR Sreejesh did the honours for the Indian unit at the closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics.
IOA had initally named Bhaker as the flag bearer after she became the first athlete since India attained independence to win multiple medals in a single Olympic Games. After Manu, it was none other than Sreejesh who also got the honours.
IOA president PT Usha said Sreejesh was both an emotional and popular choice within the IOA leadership, including the Chef de Mission Gagan Narang, and the entire Indian contingent.
“Sreejesh has served Indian hockey in particular and Indian sport in general admirably through more than two decades,” she said.
(with agency inputs)
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