 "Known as ’The Wall’ for his impeccable skills in front of the goalpost, Sreejesh was instrumental in guiding the team through remarkable successes, including two Asian Games gold medals, and two Champions Trophy silver medals. Reuters")
Former India hockey team goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, who played his final match for the national team at the Paris Olympics in August, received a letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, thanking Sreejesh for his services. Sreejesh shared the letter on his “X” account, where PM Modi has backed the Kerala-born former athlete to play an “impactful” role as head coach of the junior men’s team.
Sreejesh had announced that he would be calling time on his 15-year playing career after the Paris Olympics, and he did so by guiding the Indian team to a second consecutive Olympic bronze medal in Paris . India defeated Spain 2-1 in the bronze medal playoff.
Known as ’The Wall’ for his impeccable skills in front of the goalpost, Sreejesh was instrumental in guiding the team through remarkable successes, including two Asian Games gold medals, and two Champions Trophy silver medals.
Following his retirement, Hockey India appointed Sreejesh as the head coach of the junior men’s team and he vowed to make India a ”powerhouse in hockey”.
Confident of Sreejesh’s impact as junior team coach, PM Modi wrote: ”I am sure your work in the new role will be as impactful and inspirational.” ”As you call it a day on your playing career, I wish to convey my heartfelt appreciation for your monumental contributions to Indian hockey,” Modi wrote in the letter dated 16 August.
Sreejesh thanked Modi for his support. ”Received this heart-warming letter from @narendramodi Sir on my retirement. Hockey is my life and I’ll continue to serve the game and work towards making India a power in hockey, the start of which has been made with the 2020, 2024 Olympic medals. Thank You PM Sir for your faith in me,” Sreejesh wrote in X sharing PM Modi’s letter.
On Sreejesh’s illustrious career, Modi recalled the goalkeeper’s heroics in the triumphant Asian Games campaign in 2014. Modi also talked about Sreejesh playing an instrumental role in India’s quarterfinal finish in Rio Olympics and the bronze wins in Tokyo and Paris.
”There are countless such memories that one can recall and one letter would never be sufficient! The Prime Minister also hailed Sreejesh’s humility.
”Various awards, national and international medals that came your way reflect the heights you have achieved. But what has always stood out about you, Sreejesh, is your humility and grace, both on and off the field,” Modi wrote.
”I am confident that your passion, dedication and commitment will help nurture the next generation of world-beaters.
”I want to thank you for your tireless dedication, your remarkable career and for being a source of immense pride for India. Thanks for all the lovely memories and all the best for the future,” he added.
With PTI inputs