Farewell to a legend: PR Sreejesh’s jersey retired, Taneja recalls emotional Olympic moments

NEW DELHI: Hockey India has honoured PR Sreejesh’s legendary 18-year career by retiring his iconic No. 16 jersey, a testament to his extraordinary contributions to Indian hockey. Sreejesh, who recently retired after helping India secure a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, has left an indelible mark on the sport. His retirement was celebrated with a special ceremony attended by former and current players, as well as his family, underscoring the immense respect and admiration he has earned.

Sreejesh’s career is highlighted by remarkable achievements, including two Olympic bronze medals (Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024) and two Asian Games gold medals (2014 and 2023). His leadership and exceptional skills as a goalkeeper were crucial to India’s success on the international stage. In recognition of his vast experience, Sreejesh has now been appointed as the coach for the junior men’s hockey team, where he will mentor the next generation of players.

During the felicitation, The New Indian Team had an exclusive conversation with Sunil Taneja, who shared his emotional journey as a commentator during the Olympics.

ALSO READ: India shines at Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony

Taneja reflected on his experience, saying, “I’ve been doing hockey commentary since 2006, and it’s every commentator’s dream to cover the Olympics. I was fortunate to commentate in back-to-back Olympics where India won two medals. The quarterfinal match at the Paris 2024 Olympics was something we hadn’t seen in decades. Even though we lost the semifinal, we ended the tournament on a winning note, and as a fan and commentator, there couldn’t be a prouder moment.”

He also spoke about the emotional intensity of the quarterfinal match, stating, “In the commentary box, I wasn’t just a commentator; I was an Indian hockey fan. The emotions I felt were the same as those of the entire nation. People say a commentator should be neutral, but at that moment, I wasn’t neutral—I was an Indian fan.”

When discussing Sreejesh’s retirement and his nickname for Indian captain Harmanpreet Singh, Taneja added, “It has been an absolute honour to watch Sreejesh play and to commentate on his matches. As for Harmanpreet, calling him ‘Sarpanch Sahab’ (village chief) just came naturally. Seeing him score goals and win medals, and then hearing others use the nickname, is a memory I’ll cherish forever. Thank you, Sreejesh and Harmanpreet, for these unforgettable moments.”