The Indian legendary goalkeeper PR Sreejesh is set to step into new role after his retirement from the sport following India's bronze medal win at the Paris Olympics 2024 on Thursday, August 8.
Sreejesh bid adieu to his illustrious international career with second successive Olympic medal after India defeated Spain 2-1. Skipper Harmanpreet Singh's brace helped the Men in Blue not only secured a bronze medal but also ended India men's hockey campaign on high note following the semifinal defeat against Germany.
Having already announced that the Paris Olympics would bed his final international appearance, the former captain couldn’t have asked for a better end to his career than signing off with another Olympic medal.
Though PR Sreejesh will no longer be part of Indian hockey team as a player, he is set to don a new role after his retirement. The general secretary of Hockey India Bhola Nath Singh stated that former India captain will be the head coach of men's junior team and the federation will discuss the same with SAI and government.
"Goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has played his last match today, but today I want to announce that Sreejesh will be the head coach of the Junior India Hockey team...We will discuss this with the SAI and the Government of India."
PR Sreejesh is made his international debut for India at the South Asian Games in 2006 and went on to become one of the most well-established players in the history of Indian hockey. The 36-year-old played a vital role in the success of Indian hockey over the years.
Apart from winning second successive Olympic medal with India, Sreejesh also retired as the most successful goalkeeper at the Paris Olympics, saving 50 goals from 62 shots.
Sreejesh played an important role in helping India end 41-year Olympic medal in hockey, winning bronze at the 2021 Tokyo Games. The former captain has played 328 matches for India since making his debut 18 years ago.
In addition to his success at the Olympics,PR Sreejesh played a pivotal role in India's triumph at the Asian Games in 2014 and 2022, and Asian Champions Trophy in 2011, 2016, 2018 and 2023.
