Indian hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has announced that he will retire from the sport following the Paris 2024 Olympics. This decision marks the end of a remarkable career for Sreejesh, who has been a pivotal figure in Indian hockey for many years. Known for his exceptional skills and leadership on the field, Sreejesh has played a crucial role in various international tournaments, including the World Cup and the Asian Games. His retirement will conclude a distinguished career that has seen him become a revered figure in Indian sports, leaving behind a legacy of dedication and excellence.
Renowned Indian hockey goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh announced on Monday that he will retire from the sport after the Paris Olympics, bringing an end to an illustrious 18-year career. At 36, Sreejesh has amassed 328 international caps, including appearances in three Olympic Games, and has competed in multiple Commonwealth Games and World Cups. He will be participating in his fourth Olympics in Paris, starting on July 26. Reflecting on his career, Sreejesh stated in a Hockey India press release, "As I prepare for my final performance in Paris, I look back with immense pride and forward with hope."
"This journey has been truly remarkable, and I am deeply grateful for the unwavering love and support from my family, teammates, coaches, fans, and Hockey India. Thank you for believing in me. My teammates have been with me through both the challenging and triumphant moments. As we head into Paris, we are all committed to giving our very best, with a strong desire to improve upon our previous medal, recalling the significant moment of winning bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics," he added.
Since debuting at the 2006 South Asian Games, PR Sreejesh has been integral to numerous historic victories for India, including a gold medal at the 2014 Asian Games and a bronze at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asiad. He was a key player in the 2018 Asian Champions Trophy-winning team and the 2019 FIH Men's Series Finals champions in Bhubaneswar. The talented goalkeeper also played a vital role in the silver medal-winning team at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Sreejesh was instrumental in India’s historic bronze medal win at the Tokyo Olympics. As he heads into his final tournament, captain Harmanpreet Singh emphasized that the team is dedicated to making Sreejesh’s last tournament memorable. "Paris 2024 will be a special tournament, and we have decided to dedicate our campaign to the legend PR Sreejesh," Harmanpreet said.
