India last won gold in hockey at the 1980 Moscow Olympics. Srejesh and her team won the bronze in Tokyo after forty long years. The campaign of the Indian team will begin in Paris on July 27.
He will play the last Olympics hockey for India in Paris. After that, the long eighteen-year hockey career will end. Indian men’s hockey team experienced goalkeeper PR Srejesh informed. He said this on social media on Monday.
India last won gold in hockey at the 1980 Moscow Olympics. Srejeshra won the bronze in Tokyo after forty long years. The campaign of the Indian team will begin in Paris on July 27. The first match is against New Zealand.
The 36-year-old Kerala player Srejesh has played 328 matches for the country. Represented the country in the Olympics three times in the jersey. The experienced goalkeeper will pick up the hockey stick after Paris. In a statement, he said, “I have reached the end of my international hockey career. This memorable journey started from G V Raja Sports School. Dreamed every step of the way. Got support from loved ones till the last day.”
While reminiscing, Srejesh also told the story of buying his first kit. Said, “My father bought the first hockey kit by selling his cow. His sacrifice made me stubborn that day. Motivates to work hard. Taught me to dream bigger.”
The pain of losing all those matches at the London Olympics twelve years ago still haunts him equally. In Srejesh’s words, “The memories of the 2012 London Olympics still haunt me. But that was the turning point for me. I stood up again after learning from that failure. Broadened my shoulders.”
Srejesh wants to give his best in Paris too. In his words, “Getting ready to land in Paris for the last time. Hoping to make the country proud. The color of the medal should be changed.”
Captain Harmanpreet Singh said, “I want to make Srejesh’s farewell memorable by winning a medal in Paris.” He also said, “Srijesh is another name for inspiration to all of us. We learned by watching him.”
