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Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently hosted retired Indian hockey legend PR Sreejesh and his family at his residence on Independence Day. A heartwarming video of the meeting has gone viral on social media, showcasing the Prime Minister's genuine affection for the family.In the video, PM Modi engages in a playful conversation with Sreejesh's son, Sreeansh. Pointing towards his father, the Prime Minister asks, "Ye maarta hai (Does he hit you)?" Sreeansh's affirmative nod elicits laughter from everyone present. The Prime Minister then offers the child a sweet, further endearing himself to the family.Sreejesh, who played a pivotal role in India's historic bronze medal victory at the Paris Olympics, was accorded a grand welcome upon his arrival at the international airport in Kochi. The hockey star expressed his gratitude for the enthusiastic reception, describing it as the "cherry on top of the cake."Reflecting on his future plans, Sreejesh revealed that he will spend the next 2-3 months preparing for his transition from player to coach. He acknowledged the challenges of this transition and emphasized the need for mental preparation.Sreejesh's retirement marks the end of an illustrious career that saw him establish himself as one of India's greatest goalkeepers. His contributions to the national team have been immense, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of hockey players.

Indian hockey legend PR Sreejesh has been bestowed the honor of being the second flag bearer for India at the closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics 2024, alongside shooting sensation Manu Bhaker. This decision, made by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), was a late one, with Neeraj Chopra initially designated for the role.However, when IOA president PT Usha informed Chopra of the change in plans, the Tokyo Olympics gold medalist's response exemplified his humility and sportsmanship. Usha revealed that Chopra immediately accepted the decision, stating that he would have suggested Sreejesh's name himself if Usha had not asked."He told me 'Ma'am, even if you had not asked me, I would have suggested Sree bhai's name'," Usha said. "It is reflective of the immense respect Neeraj has for Sreejesh and his contribution to Indian sport."The decision to appoint Sreejesh as the second flag bearer was met with unanimous support within the IOA leadership. Usha praised Sreejesh's unwavering dedication to Indian hockey and sport in general, spanning over two decades."Sreejesh has served Indian hockey in particular and Indian sport in general admirably through more than two decades," Usha said. "He is both an emotional and popular choice within the IOA leadership to be the flagbearer at the Paris Olympics closing ceremony."Sreejesh's selection as flag bearer is a testament to his exceptional achievements and the respect he commands within the Indian sporting fraternity. His presence at the closing ceremony will serve as a fitting tribute to his illustrious career and the unwavering spirit of Indian athletes.

Legendary Indian hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has bid farewell to his illustrious international career after helping India secure a bronze medal at the recently concluded Paris Olympics. The iconic shot-stopper, who has been a cornerstone of the Indian team for nearly two decades, was recently spotted in a viral social media post standing in front of the Eiffel Tower, proudly displaying his hard-earned bronze medal.Sreejesh's retirement marks the end of an era for Indian hockey. The 36-year-old has been a rock-solid presence in the Indian goal, playing a pivotal role in the team's success over the years. His agility, reflexes, and leadership have been instrumental in India's rise to prominence in the international hockey arena.Despite his retirement, Sreejesh remains optimistic about the future of Indian hockey. He believes that the country has an abundance of talent and that a suitable replacement for him will emerge in due time. "There won't be a vacuum. Someone will come in my place, for sure," Sreejesh said in an interview.Sreejesh's retirement has left a void in the Indian team, but he is confident that the younger generation of players will step up and fill his shoes. He has been offered a mentoring role in the Indian junior team set-up, where he hopes to impart his knowledge and experience to the next generation of hockey stars.Sreejesh's retirement is a bittersweet moment for Indian hockey. While the team will miss his presence on the field, his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of players. His unwavering dedication, passion, and love for the game have made him a true icon of Indian sport.

PR Sreejesh: A Legend Inspiring the Next Generation of Indian Hockey PlayersJust-retired Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has left an indelible mark on the sport, inspiring countless aspiring hockey players across the nation. His teammates, upon returning from the Paris Olympics with a second consecutive bronze medal, hailed Sreejesh as a true legend whose contributions will continue to shape the future of Indian hockey."Sreejesh is the epitome of a legend," said forward Lalit Upadhyay. "He's the 'Great Wall' of India, and his exceptional skills and unwavering dedication have set an unparalleled standard for goalkeepers. His legacy will undoubtedly inspire the next generation to strive for greatness."Upadhyay also expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support hockey has received from the Indian public. "The love and passion for hockey in our country is unwavering," he said. "It's a testament to the enduring spirit of the sport and the unwavering support of our fans."Skipper Harmanpreet Singh, who emerged as the tournament's top scorer with 10 goals, was also lauded for his exceptional leadership and performance. "Harmanpreet has earned the nickname 'Sarpanch' for his exceptional leadership qualities," said Upadhyay. "He's a true captain who has led by example, inspiring his teammates to achieve their full potential."Defender Jarmanpreet Singh echoed Upadhyay's sentiments, praising Sreejesh's legendary status. "Sreejesh is a true icon," he said. "His contributions to Indian hockey are immeasurable, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come."Jarmanpreet also acknowledged Harmanpreet's remarkable performance in the tournament. "Harmanpreet is our team's 'goal machine,'" he said. "His ability to score crucial goals has been instrumental in our success."Reflecting on the team's fighting spirit, Upadhyay recalled the quarterfinal match against Great Britain, where India played with only 10 men for over 40 minutes. "That match showcased the true character of our team," he said. "We never gave up, and our determination ultimately led us to victory."As Sreejesh embarks on a new chapter in his life, his teammates wished him well. "I wish Sreejesh all the best in his future endeavors," said Jarmanpreet. "He has been an incredible mentor and teammate, and his contributions to Indian hockey will never be forgotten."

Aneeshya Sreejesh, the wife of legendary Indian hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, is experiencing a bittersweet mix of emotions following her husband's retirement from international hockey. While she is overjoyed that he will have more time at home, she is also saddened by the loss of his galvanizing presence on the field.Sreejesh, who was a key member of the Indian men's hockey team that clinched a second successive bronze medal at the Olympic Games, played his final match for India in the third-place playoff against Spain. His retirement marks the end of an illustrious career that spanned over a decade and included numerous accolades, including the Arjuna Award and the Padma Shri.Aneeshya, a former long-jumper and Ayurveda doctor, expressed her conflicting emotions. "As a fan, I will definitely miss him on the field, but as his wife, I will get more of his time. So I am happy and sad at the same time," she said.She is eagerly awaiting Sreejesh's return home, where she plans to prepare his favorite traditional Kerala meals. "He loves it so much and I know he must be craving it," she said.The family is planning a grand welcome for Sreejesh, who has been a role model for the young brigade of Indian hockey. "There were around 50 people here. Everyone congratulated us and it is a moment of immense pride that we won two consecutive medals in the Olympics," Aneeshya said.Not many know that Sreejesh used three special sticks in the Paris Olympics, each with the names of his children and wife written on them. In the quarterfinal match against Britain, he used the stick with Aneeshya's name on it."He has three sticks for the Paris games...One for penalty shootout and two for regular games. For regular matches, he used the sticks with our kids' names Anushree and Sriyansh written on them," she said. "For the shootout, he used the stick with my name written on it and it also has my favorite color."Aneeshya revealed that Sreejesh will soon make a decision about his future plans. "His focus was only on the Paris Olympics only till now but now the Games are over. He will tell about future plans in due course of time," she said.She also shared a valuable lesson she has learned from her husband. "I have learnt positivity from Sreejesh. He always tells me that ups and downs will be there in life...He says that don't think about the past and always look forward. Whatever happened has happened and the best way is to look ahead," she said.

Indian hockey legend PR Sreejesh has bid farewell to international hockey on a high note, helping India secure a second consecutive Olympic bronze medal in Tokyo. The 36-year-old goalkeeper announced his retirement before the Games, and his final match was a fitting tribute to his illustrious career.In a thrilling third-place play-off, India defeated Spain 2-1, with Sreejesh playing a pivotal role. He made several crucial saves throughout the match, including a penalty shootout stop that sealed the victory."This is the better way to finish an Olympic Games, with a medal," said Sreejesh after the match. "We are not going home empty-handed, that's a great thing."Sreejesh's retirement marks the end of an era for Indian hockey. He has been a mainstay in the team for over a decade, and his leadership and experience have been invaluable. He was part of the bronze-winning team in Tokyo in 2020, and his performance in Paris was equally impressive."The team did a wonderful job and made this game so beautiful," said Sreejesh. "Tokyo has a special place in my heart. That (bronze) gave us back the confidence that we can win medals (in Olympics)."Sreejesh's legacy as India's greatest goalkeeper is secure. He has played over 300 matches for his country, and his contributions have been immense. He has been a role model for young players and an inspiration to the entire nation.

Indian hockey legend PR Sreejesh, a stalwart in the national team for over a decade, has announced his retirement after the 2024 Paris Olympics. The announcement marks the end of an era for Indian hockey, as Sreejesh has been a pivotal figure in the team's resurgence on the international stage.Sreejesh, who made his senior debut in 2006, has been a cornerstone of the Indian defense, renowned for his exceptional reflexes and leadership skills. He played a crucial role in India's historic bronze medal victory at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the team's first Olympic medal in 41 years.Beyond his on-field achievements, Sreejesh has also been a mentor and inspiration to younger players. Harmanpreet Singh, the current captain of the men's team, credits Sreejesh's guidance for his own development."He has been an inspiration for all of us," said Harmanpreet. "We want to 'Win it for Sreejesh' and we are all the more encouraged to stand on the podium once again."Sreejesh's retirement announcement has been met with an outpouring of gratitude and admiration from the hockey community. He has expressed his heartfelt thanks to his family, teammates, coaches, and fans for their unwavering support throughout his career."This journey has been nothing short of extraordinary," said Sreejesh. "I am forever grateful for the love and support from my family, teammates, coaches, and fans."As Sreejesh prepares for his final international tournament, the Indian team is determined to give him a fitting send-off. They have dedicated their Paris 2024 campaign to the legendary goalkeeper, aiming to win another Olympic medal in his honor.

PR Sreejesh's illustrious career has been intertwined with the resurgence of Indian men's hockey. After the team's dismal failure to qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Sreejesh emerged as a beacon of hope during a tumultuous period.London 2012: A Disappointing DebutSreejesh's Olympic debut in London 2012 proved to be a bitter disappointment. India lost all their group stage matches, finishing bottom of the pile with a dismal goal difference of -11. The team's struggles were evident, and the future seemed bleak.Rio 2016: A Glimmer of HopeFollowing the London debacle, Sreejesh became a pivotal figure in the Indian dressing room. The team's fortunes improved, winning the Asian Games gold medal in 2014 and a bronze medal at the 2015 FIH Hockey World League Final. Sreejesh was appointed captain ahead of the 2016 Rio Olympics, where India recorded two group stage wins and reached the quarterfinals.Tokyo 2020: A Historic TriumphIndia entered the Tokyo Olympics with high expectations but also a history of underperformance. A 7-1 thrashing by Australia in their opening match raised concerns. However, the team rallied, winning all their subsequent group stage matches. Sreejesh's leadership and vocal presence were instrumental in India's resurgence.In the semifinals, India faced eventual gold medallists Belgium and lost. But in the bronze medal match against Germany, the team displayed remarkable resilience, coming back from a 3-1 deficit to win 5-4. Sreejesh's Olympic dream was finally realized, and Indian hockey fans celebrated their first Olympic medal since 1980.

Indian men's hockey team goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has revealed that he dabbled in various sports, including shot-put, before settling on hockey as his primary pursuit. In an interview with cricketer Dinesh Karthik on JioCinema's 'Get Set Gold,' Sreejesh shared his reasons for choosing the goalkeeper position: to avoid the strenuous running required of forwards and defenders."Hockey was not easy because you need to bend, you need to play. That was tough for me. And over that, you need to run. I was an overweight guy. I didn't like running at all," Sreejesh explained. "So, I have seen these goalkeepers in full kit, standing in a corner and kicking the ball. I thought that was pretty funny because they're not doing anything. They're not running. They're just wearing the pad and kicking the ball. So, I thought this was the right position for me because you don't need to run. You're a part of the hockey team and you'll get grace marks."However, Sreejesh emphasized that being a hockey goalkeeper requires a certain level of "craziness" to perform at the highest level. "The goalkeeper has to be a crazy person. Crazy, because you just need to have the guts to stand in front of that ball. The second thing is aggression, you need to be an aggressive person, and those reflexes have to be there. You don't get much time to just think, 'Save.' No, you just need to save it. Then you realize, 'Okay, I made that save,'" he said.Sreejesh's journey to hockey began with shot-put in his school days due to his overweight and shorter stature. He then tried football and volleyball but found his calling in hockey. Despite initially choosing the goalkeeper position to avoid running, he has since become one of the most decorated players in Indian hockey history.Sreejesh is the only Indian men's player to win the World Games Athlete of the Year award (2021). He has also won 16 international medals, including an Olympic Bronze (2020), two Asian Games Gold medals (2014, 2022), two Commonwealth Games Silver medals (2014, 2022), and four Asian Champions Trophy Gold medals (2011, 2016, 2018, 2023).Sreejesh is expected to represent India in men's field hockey at the Paris 2024 Olympics. India has been seeded with Belgium, Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, and Ireland in Group B of the tournament.