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Veteran Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has announced that the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics will be his last international tournament. Having made his debut at the 2010 FIH World Cup, the 36-year-old is a three-time Olympian and set to play in his fourth.
Sreejesh was part of the Indian contingent at the 2012 London Olympics, the 2016 Rio Games and also the 2021 Tokyo Olympics where India won a bronze. The Indian men's hockey team have now started a 'win it for Sreejesh' campaign for the 2024 Paris Games.
In reply to the goalkeeper's tweet, Hockey India posted:
"Once a champion, always a champion. #WinItForSreejesh"
Sreejesh thanked his family, teammates, coaches, fans and Hockey India for their support, while announcing his decision, through what he called an "extraordinary journey."
"As I prepare for my last dance in Paris, I look back with immense pride and forward with hope. This journey has been nothing short of extraordinary, and I am forever grateful for the love and support from my family, teammates, coaches, fans and Hockey India. Thank you for believing in me," the Khel Ratna awardee said (via ANI).
The 2020-21 FIH Player of the Year, who along with Manpreet Singh, is the seniormost member of the current Indian side, has played a total of 328 internationals.
He was also a part of India's gold-medal-winning side at the 2014 Asian Games and the 2023 Asian Games.
"We have decided to dedicate our campaign to the legend PR Sreejesh" - Harmanpreet Singh
Captain Harmanpreet Singh declared that the Indian team had decided to dedicate their Paris 2024 campaign to the champion goalkeeper following the announcement.
Recalling the former captain's mentorship during India's victorious 2016 Junior World Cup campaign, Harmanpreet Singh stated that the custodian from Kerala shaped the careers of many players.
"Paris 2024 will indeed be a special tournament. We have decided to dedicate our campaign to the legend PR Sreejesh. He has been an inspiration for all of us and I still remember his mentorship in 2016 Junior World Cup when we lifted the title," the star drag flicker said (via ANI).
"It was the beginning of many of our careers in International hockey and he has shaped each one of our careers in his own way. We want to 'Win it for Sreejesh' and we are all the more encouraged to stand on the podium once again," Harmanpreet added.
Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey highlighted the Kochi-born player's "exemplary contribution to Indian hockey" while adding that his announcement will encourage the team to stand on the podium again.
"He is a very special player and my heart fills with joy and gratitude for his exemplary contribution to Indian hockey. This outing in Paris will certainly be a special one for the team and I believe Sreejesh's decision will only encourage the team further to stand on the podium yet again," the HI President said.
India begin their Paris Olympic campaign against New Zealand on July 27.
