Hockey India has announced the retirement of the No.16 jersey from the national senior men’s squad in honor of goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, who announced his retirement from the sport following the Paris Olympics. The decision honors an 18-year career that included winning back-to-back Olympic bronze medals. Sreejesh will take over as the coach of the junior men’s hockey team, following in the footsteps of India’s legendary cricketer Rahul Dravid.
Hockey India retires the No.16 jersey from the senior men’s team, dedicated to PR Sreejesh, said Bhola Nath, Hockey India’s secretary. This statement highlights the immense respect and admiration Sreejesh has garnered throughout his career. In addition to this tribute, Hockey India announced Sreejesh’s new role as the coach of the junior men’s hockey team.
The 36-year-old Sreejesh had shared his aspirations for his coaching career, drawing inspiration from Dravid. I want to become a coach. That was always my plan but now there is a question of when. After retirement, family comes first. I need to talk with them if they are OK with this. Now you have to listen to your wife a little bit, Sreejesh revealed in his recent interview with PTI.
Sreejesh expressed his strategy for nurturing young talents. The way I wanted is to start with the juniors, and Rahul Dravid is an example. It’s like you develop a bunch of players, get them into the senior team, and let them follow you, he asserted.
Sreejesh’s retirement marks the end of a crucial chapter in Indian hockey. His legacy is defined not just by his Olympic successes, but also by his dedication to the future of Indian hockey. Sreejesh’s passion for the sport and vision for the future will keep India’s hockey dreams alive.
Sreejesh’s first aim is to build a strong feeder system for the national squad. As the new coach of the young men’s hockey team, he hopes to follow in the footsteps of former Indian cricket team captain Dravid, who began with India’s U-19 and A teams before becoming the senior squad’s head coach. This rigorous methodology aims to provide a consistent and high-quality flow of talent to the senior team.
The decision to retire Sreejesh’s No.16 shirt demonstrates the respect and appreciation he has gained over his career. His contributions to Indian hockey are recognized, and his upcoming coaching position is keenly anticipated by the hockey community.
