IT WAS THE PERFECT FAREWELL

To have your jersey number retired from the sport is an honour few receive. P.R. Sreejesh is among those few.

- ANIRUDH MADHAVAN AND BECHU S.

But then, the former India hockey captain has always been unique—he comes from Kerala, a state that doesn’t have a rich hockey heritage, and retires as arguably its most famous son in the sporting arena.

Going out on a high—he sat atop the goal as his teammates bowed to him after winning the bronze at the Paris Olympics— Sreejesh leaves big shoes to fill. Fortunately for Indian hockey, the veteran goalkeeper wants to stay with the sport, and could even take on the role of the junior national team coach in a few months. In an interview with THE WEEK, Sreejesh talks about Paris, his jersey, future plans and who he wants to play him in a potential biopic. Excerpts:

Q A two-time Olympic bronze medallist, freshly retired and perhaps the next coach of the junior national team. How are you feeling?

A It is a fantastic farewell for me because, after such a great career, I could not have imagined a better setup than this. Finishing on the podium in my last Olympics and getting a great farewell from Hockey India. Everything led up in the perfect way.

Q Back-to-back bronze medals is a great achievement. Do you think this could be a return to the glory days that India once had? Or do you think that kind of dominance cannot be replicated because the top seven-eight teams are neckand-neck in terms of quality?

A I think we are back to the glory days. When you look at [the current] scenario—back-to-back medals and finishing in the top three—it gives a lot of hope. For every sportsperson, winning an Olympic medal is a big thing. And we are showing them that if you play hockey, you can achieve this.

As you mentioned, the top eight teams are good enough to win a medal in the Olympics. But [it depends on] who gets the advantage on that particular day. I believe that these medals will help us dream bigger.