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 step into the role of junior national coach.
On Wednesday, Hockey India announced the retirement of goalkeeping legend P R Sreejesh’s jersey number at the senior level following his retirement after playing a key role in securing India’s second consecutive Olympic bronze at the recently concluded Paris Games. According to Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh, the No. 16 jersey will no longer be assigned to any senior team player, although it will continue to be used at the junior level. Praising Sreejesh’s immense contribution 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-regarded 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 it will still be used by the junior team,” Singh stated during a felicitation ceremony for Sreejesh and other team members.
“Sreejesh will mentor the next generation in the junior team, grooming another Sreejesh to wear the No. 16 jersey,” he added.
At the ceremony, the players honored Sreejesh by wearing identical red jerseys bearing his name on the back.
Pistol shooter Manu Bhaker, who became the first Indian athlete post-independence to win two Olympic medals with her bronze in 10m air pistol and 10m air pistol mixed team (partnering with Sarabjot Singh), also attended the event.
Expressing his gratitude, Sreejesh said, “It’s difficult to put into words how grateful and honored I feel about this gesture from Hockey India. 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.”
Indian captain Harmanpreet Singh expressed pride in giving Sreejesh a “fairytale farewell.” He added, “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 also expressed his appreciation for Sreejesh’s service to the game, stating, “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.'”
