Veteran Hockey Goalkeeper P R Sreejesh to Retire After Paris Olympics

Veteran goalkeeper and former India hockey captain P R Sreejesh has announced that the Paris Olympics will be his final international outing. The 36-year-old, a veteran of 328 International caps, three Olympic Games, and multiple Commonwealth Games and World Cups, will be playing in his fourth Olympic Games. The latest edition of the showpiece begins on July 26.

"As I prepare for my last dance in Paris, I look back with immense pride and forward with hope," Sreejesh said in a Hockey India press release.

"This journey has been nothing short of extraordinary, and I am forever grateful for the love and support from my family, teammates, coaches, fans, and Hockey India. Thank you for believing in me," he added.

"My teammates have stood beside me through the tough and the ardent times. We all want to give our absolute best here in Paris and certainly, the desire is to change the color of our medal."

Having made his debut at the 2010 World Cup, Sreejesh has been a part of various memorable wins for India, including gold in the 2014 Asian Games and a bronze medal in the 2018 Asiad in Jakarta-Palembang. He was also there in the joint-winning team of the Asian Champions Trophy in 2018, besides the 2019 FIH Men's Series Finals champion side in Bhubaneswar.

Sreejesh's announcement comes as no surprise, as he has been contemplating retirement for some time now. He had earlier hinted that he might hang up his boots after the Tokyo Olympics, but decided to continue for one more year to help India qualify for the Paris Games.

With Sreejesh's retirement, India will lose one of its most experienced and decorated players. He has been a key member of the Indian team for over a decade and has played a pivotal role in India's recent successes.

Sreejesh's legacy will be defined by his exceptional goalkeeping skills, his leadership qualities, and his dedication to the sport. He is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world and has been instrumental in India's rise to the top of the international hockey rankings.

Tags: #PR, Sreejesh, #Hockey, #Paris, Olympics