"I want to pass on my experience" - PR Sreejesh on being announced as the coach of Indian Junior Men's Hockey Team
Hockey India has announced PR Sreejesh as the new coach of the Indian junior men's team. The goalkeeper who was a part of the bronze medal-winning Indian team at the Paris Olympics 2024, has retired from the sport post the conclusion of the Games in Paris.
The announcement about Sreejesh's new role was made during a felicitation ceremony that was held for the celebrated player in Delhi. Also in attendance were his teammates, Hockey India officials and many Indian hockey legends.
Talking on his appointment, Sreejesh expressed that he would now like to pass on all his learnings to the upcoming generation. The goalkeeper stated that after a long career, he feels it is now time to share his experience with budding hockey players around the country.
"I have played under several accomplished coaches right through my career. I now feel that whatever experience and learnings I have taken from that, I would like to pass it on to the younger generation," said Sreejesh at the event.
He also talked about the importance of laying down the right foundation for a young athlete.
"Not just the Indian team, even any state team or school teams, I would like to share my learnings with all budding players. From skills to training to the other aspects of the sport, it is very important to lay the right foundation when a player is young," he further said.
Hockey India retires PR Sreejesh's jersey from senior level as a tribute to his service
In a fitting decision, Hockey India announced retiring PR Sreejesh's jersey No. 16 from the senior level on August 14. Sreejesh has been receiving immense respect from the entire nation since his heroics at the Paris Olympics 2024.
As per the decision, no player at the senior level will don the jersey number 16. However, the decision does not apply to the junior level.
PR Sreejesh has had an illustrious International career of over a decade. He has made more than 300 appearances for the senior men's team. He is also the only Indian goalkeeper to have won two gold medals at the Asian Games, in 2014 and 2023.