Hockey India to retire No. 16 jersey in honour of two-time Olympic medalist PR Sreejesh
Hockey India to retire No. 16 jersey in honour of two-time Olympic medalist PR Sreejesh
India’s legendary hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh will receive a big honour from Hockey India after the federation announced its decision to retire jersey no. 16 on Wednesday (Aug 14). Sreejesh, who helped India win back-to-back bronze medals at the Olympic Games in hockey, recently announced his retirement from the sport. Hockey India proposed the initiative of retiring the no. 16 jersey to honour the contribution and achievements of Sreejeshwho served the Indian hockey team for almost two decades.
Sreejesh jersey no. 16 to retire
"Sreejesh will groom the next Sreejesh in the junior team, who will wear the No. 16 jersey," Hockey India’s Secretary General, Bhola Nath Singh remarked during a ceremony honouring the veteran goalkeeper.
The Indian goalie had announced before the Paris Olympics that he would retire from professional hockey after the tournament. Having debuted in 2006 for the national side, Sreejesh was pivotal in India’s run at the Tokyo Olympics which ended the nation’s 41-year wait for a medal in hockey. He again played a crucial role in India’s campaign at the Olympics in Paris producing a Player of the Match performance against Great Britain in the quarterfinal.
The 36-year-oldmade crucial saves in open play before making valuable saves in the penalty shootout to help India reach the semifinal. Having donned the no.16 jersey during mostof his career, his jersey will no longer be available for any senior player.
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Sreejesh to coach junior side
Bhola Nath Singh further added that Sreejesh will be the new junior national coach and will groom the next batch of players. The secretary also added that the no. 16 jersey will be available for the junior team.
"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 was quoted as saying while speaking to PTI.
