PR Sreejesh’s Jersey Retired By Hockey India; Announced as New Coach for Junior Hockey Team

Following his historic bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, it was announced by Hockey India’s General Secretary Bhola Nath Singh that Indian keeper PR Sreejesh’ jersey number shall be retired and the keeper was to be appointed as the new coach of the Junior Hockey side.

Sreejesh, 36, has become an icon in Indian hockey by winning back-to-back Olympic bronze medals in his glorious 18-year-old career.

The Indian men’s hockey team clinched a second successive bronze medal in the Olympic Games – a fitting farewell for veteran India custodian PR Sreejesh, nicknamed ‘The Great Indian Wall of Indian hockey’, who drew curtains on his illustrious 18-year-old career.

Indian skipper Harmanpreet Singh (30th, 33rd minute) scored a brace, while Spain’s only goal was scored by captain Marc Miralles in the 18th minute from a penalty stroke. India defeated Spain 2-1 in the third-position playoff match in Paris to clinch the coveted medal.

Following their triumphs, Hockey India hosted a special celebration of Sreejesh’s contributions to Indian hockey, where the Gen Sec spoke on the goalkeeper’s illustrious career.

“PR Sreejesh’s retirement marks a significant moment in the history of Indian hockey. For nearly two decades, Sreejesh has been the cornerstone of our national team, embodying the spirit, resilience, and excellence that define Indian hockey,” stated Hockey India General Secretary Bhola Nath Singh.

“His contributions to Indian hockey go far beyond the countless saves and victories on the field. Sreejesh has set a benchmark for what it means to be a goalkeeper.”

As a gesture of gratitude for the legendary keeper, Singh also announced that the number 16 jersey that Sreejesh donned throughout his career shall be retired at the senior level, and also revealed the keeper as the new coach of the Indian Junior Hockey team.

But, there was an interesting caveat that the HI Gen Sec added in his speech.

“We will not retire No. 16 Jersey in Junior Hockey so that Sreejesh could create another ‘Sreejesh, No.16’ as a coach,” stated Nath Singh.

The laurels for the legendary keeper did not stop there as Head Coach Craig Fulton took to the stand to expound on Sreejesh’s relentless drive and his unmistakable influence in the Indian side.

“He wears his heart on his sleeve. The beautiful thing about him is that you’ll know when he’s happy and when he’s not. He is an amazing player as well, worked really hard on himself. It’s a totally different dynamic in the goalkeeper role and you’ve got to really love your keeper. And, we sure do love Sreejesh,” stated Fulton.

Sreejesh made his debut for the junior national team in 2004 and for the senior team in 2006 as a teenager at the South Asian Games in Colombo. He was part of the 2008 Junior Asia Cup-winning team and was awarded the ‘Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament.

Since then, he has featured in almost all major tournaments: four Olympic Games (2012, 2016, 2020, and 2024), four World Cups (2010, 2014, 2018, and 2023), three Asian Games (2014, 2018, and 2022) and three Commonwealth Games (2014, 2018, and 2022).