At 33, PR Sreejesh is within the twilight of his profession, however the veteran Indian hockey goalkeeper is in no temper to name it quits anytime quickly as he’s eyeing a World Cup medal so as to add to his Tokyo Olympics bronze earlier than deciding the long run course of his profession.
Sreejesh, who made his senior workforce debut in 2006, is thought to be one of many most interesting goalkeepers in world hockey.
Sreejesh, who captained the nationwide workforce to the quarterfinals of the 2016 Rio Olympics, was additionally part of the 2014 gold medal-winning Asian Games squad however his most cherished dream was fulfilled in final yr’s Tokyo Olympics when India gained a historic bronze after a hiatus of 41 years.
But the senior custodian remains to be not happy as he goals to win a World Cup medal subsequent yr earlier than taking a name on his future, which incorporates the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“The Olympic medal was a dream however I nonetheless have an opportunity to higher the colour of the medal. 2022 is essential for us which begins with the FIH Pro League after which we have now the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games,” stated Sreejesh, who turned solely the second Indian after girls’s workforce skipper Rani Rampal to win the ‘World Games Athlete of the’ Year’ award.
“The Asian Games will give us a direct berth in the Paris Olympics, so there is as an added motivation. In the last World Cup, we couldn’t qualify for the semifinals, so winning a medal in the World Cup will complete my goal.”
For Sreejesh, setting short-term targets is his precedence now, saying the day he feels lack of motivation in direction of the sport, he won’t hesitate to name it quits.
“Our focus now’s on the following Olympic cycle which begins this yr. First we have now the Pro League which can assist in creating a robust base for us.
“For a goalkeeper, age just isn’t a giant barrier. It’s about how passionate you’re in regards to the sport. Personally, I’m not setting any long-term goal. My short-term purpose subsequent is the World Cup to be held in India,” he stated.
Asked what nonetheless drives him to get up each morning and undergo the grind, Sreejesh stated: “Wearing the blue jersey is not possible for everyone. Only a lucky person gets that opportunity but for that, you need to work hard and that’s what gives you the motivation.” Sreejesh will likely be returning to the Indian workforce within the upcoming FIH Pro League matches in opposition to South Africa and France to be held Potchefstroom from February 8 to 13 after a hiatus of six months.
And the skilled goalkeeper stated the break helped him re-energise after the Tokyo Olympics.
“The break was much-needed. It helped me develop a bond with my household. We went for a vacation and the children loved loads. I spend some high quality time with my household. The vacation was a rejuvenating expertise for me,” Sreejesh stated.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
