“Olympics is like a pressure cooker” - PR Sreejesh highlights the challenge of playing at the mega-event
Indian men’s hockey team goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has opened up about the pressure of playing at the Olympics. Sreejesh has been a veteran of Indian hockey having represented India in 328 international games.
Ahead of the Paris Olympics 2024, he highlighted the challenges faced by an athlete while plating at the Games. The experienced campaigner shared words of wisdom on how to tackle the pressure and keep yourself focused.
“The Olympics are too much pressure. It’s like a pressure cooker. You are closely followed by the media. There will be social media, coaches, and people who give you many ideas, and these things distract you. I just tell them to play as a team without hearing these noises,” said PR Sreejesh (via PTI Bhasha).
Sreejesh played an important role in India’s bronze medal win at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. He entered clutch mode to produce a crucial save against Germany to help India end its 41-year medal drought at the Olympics.
“Expectations come with achievements and we don’t have to take it negatively. I believe that it will give us the boost to perform even better in Paris. I want to tell the youngsters in the team that expectations and criticism will be there, but on the field, you are the boss. Stick to your basics, execute your plans, and enjoy the game,” the goalkeeper said.
Sreejesh further added that being a senior player in the team is a responsible job and he aims to motivate the youngsters to keep their eyes on just winning the medal.
“It’s a great honor, a proud moment, but it comes with a lot of responsibilities. You need to guide the youngsters; you need to keep the team together and help to achieve the common goal of winning a medal at the Olympics,” he added.
“It’s a dream journey” - PR Sreejesh on making his fourth Olympic appearance
PR Sreejesh will feature in his fourth Olympics and will be the first goalkeeper to do so. He shared how he started the sport just for some grace marks but now is in the list of legends like Dhanraj Pillay.
“It’s a dream journey. I just started playing this game for grace marks in board exams. I never thought that I would play hockey, wear an Indian jersey, and participate in the Olympics. I just knew the legendary Dhanraj Pillay, who played 4 Olympics, 4 World Cups, the Champions Trophy, and the Asian Games, and today I am the first goalkeeper going to play my fourth Olympics. It’s hard to believe,” Sreejesh noted.
India, placed in Group B, will face tough competition against the likes of Argentina, Australia, Belgium, New Zealand, and Ireland. Sreejesh highlighted the strengths of its opposition but noted that experience would come in handy to defeat them.
“Argentina have good 3D skills, the Australians are very strong, and Belgium has a very experienced forward line, but I feel that on that particular day, it’s all about using your experience and knowledge against them,” PR Sreejesh concluded.