NEW DELHI: On Wednesday, Hockey India announced that they would retire the jersey number 16, of legendary goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh, following his retirement after playing a crucial role in securing India’s second consecutive Olympic bronze at the recently concluded Paris Games. Sreejesh proudly wore jersey no 16 for nearly two decades and will be retired for the senior national team. However, the No. 16 jersey will still be available for junior players. Sreejesh was also awarded a trophy and a cash prize of Rs 25 lakhs as a token of appreciation in the Taj Palace at the New Delhi retirement event.
During the retirement event, Hockey India’s Secretary General, Bhola Nath Singh, also revealed that Sreejesh would be the junior national coach. Singh said, “Sreejesh will groom the next Sreejesh in the junior team, who will wear the No. 16 jersey.”
The New Indian exclusively spoke to the elder brother of Sreejesh and tried to know about the family reaction and the plans of the Sreejesh.
While speaking on the proud moment of getting 2 Bronze medals in the Olympics by the Indian Hockey Team, PR Sreejith, the elder brother of Sreejesh said “It was a very proud moment for everybody after a long time we got back-to-back bronze medals and it is a special day, we are here for his retirement function and I don’t know how to explain all these things so so proud.”
“Of course, he is a star and he is dedicated and his hard work made him like this and as a brother I am very happy,” he added.
The whole country was celebrating the 2nd consecutive Olympic Bronze by the Indian Hockey team so the family of Sreejesh. As this was the last Olympics of Sreejesh this Bronze made it more special. “We knew that he was going to retire after this Olympics. I live in Canada and we came here as a family to see house final matches together. Now he is going to be the main coach of the junior team and I hope he can do the best for the junior team of course.”
Sreejesh was present at the retirement celebration with his whole family and the whole hockey team.