Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh also announced that the well-liked 36-year-old, who wore the No. 16 jersey for nearly two decades, will assume the role of junior national coach.
Hockey India on Wednesday decided to retire the No. 16 jersey of goalkeeping legend P R Sreejesh at the senior level, following his retirement after playing a pivotal role in securing the country’s second consecutive Olympic bronze at the recently concluded Paris Games. Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh announced that the No. 16 jersey will no longer be assigned to any senior team player, although it will still be used at the junior level. Praising Sreejesh’s significant contributions to the sport, Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey remarked that Sreejesh has earned the title of the “God of Modern Indian Hockey.”
Singh also officially announced that the well-respected 36-year-old, who competed for nearly two decades, will take on the role of junior national coach.
“Sreejesh will now be the junior team coach, and we are retiring the No. 16 jersey for the senior team, but not for the junior team,” Singh stated during a felicitation ceremony for Sreejesh and other team members.
“Sreejesh will mentor a new generation in the junior team, grooming another Sreejesh who will wear the No. 16 jersey,” he added.
At the ceremony, the players wore matching red jerseys with Sreejesh’s name on the back as a tribute to the Kerala legend.
Also in attendance was pistol shooter Manu Bhaker, who made history by becoming the first Indian athlete post-independence to win two Olympic medals, securing bronze in both the 10m air pistol and 10m air pistol mixed team events (partnering with Sarabjot Singh).
“It’s hard to express how grateful and honored I am by this gesture from Hockey India,” Sreejesh said.
“Eighteen years is a long journey. I’ve experienced many highs and lows, but these experiences have shaped me into who I am today. I’ve cherished every moment as an international player and will deeply miss my teammates, who have become like a second family to me,” he added.
Indian captain Harmanpreet Singh expressed pride in giving Sreejesh a “fairytale farewell.” He said, “Sreejesh has become an integral part of our lives, always guiding us like an elder brother both on and off the pitch.”
Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey expressed his gratitude for Sreejesh’s dedication to the sport.
“This is not a farewell, but a celebration of everything PR Sreejesh has achieved and contributed to Indian hockey over the past 18 years. For all that Sreejesh has given to Indian hockey, he truly deserves to be called the ‘God of Modern Indian Hockey,'” Tirkey said.
