When P.R. Sreejesh announced his retirement after India won its (and his) second consecutive bronze medal in hockey at the Olympics in Paris in August, he had visualised what life off field would be like.
While he was considering coaching as a long-term option, he wanted to take a break after over two decades of playing hockey, starting with the junior Indian team. He thought he would join office, as a joint director in the Kerala government's department of general and higher education, and work as a "normal employee" while spending quality time with his family.
"That never happened," he says smiling over a video chat from Bengaluru. "All advice I received was that if I was away from the system, lots of changes would happen. So, it's good to jump in now."
The former India goalkeeper, known to throw himself at everything that came his way in the goalpost, moved from Kerala to Bengaluru with his family to coach the junior Indian hockey team. In his first assignment, the junior team won a bronze medal at the Sultan of Johor Cup in Malaysia in October.
In October, he was also appointed director of hockey for the Delhi-based franchise, SG Pipers owned by SG Sports-Media-Entertainment (SGSE), of the reinstated Hockey India league that begins on 28 December.
The 36-year-old is yet working towards his role as a coach, taking "baby steps" at building a base for a sustainable future. "There are definitely mental challenges, for a coach should think differently from a player. My imagination as a player is not going to suit this. I have had to tell myself thousands of times that I am not a player anymore but a coach," he says.
Bu hikaye Mint Mumbai dergisinin November 30, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Mint Mumbai dergisinin November 30, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
GDP growth falters in Q2, hopes pinned on 2nd half
GDP growth of 5.4% was the lowest in nearly two years, lower than estimates
Aster DM merges with Quality Care in $5-billion deal
Bengaluru-based Aster DM Healthcare on Friday announced a merger with Blackstone-backed Quality Care India Ltd (QCIL) in a deal that will value the combined entity at $5.08 billion (₹43,000 crore).
AIFs, equities pip realty in family office funding
What's Ahead for Family Offices?
Defence contracts emerge as key biz for telecom infra makers
India's push for local manufacturing has prised open a new business frontier for domestic telecom equipment manufacturers.
HUL turns to high-growth segments to lift demand
Premium is the watchword for packaged consumer goods major Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL), as it unveiled a new strategy on Friday to ride on an expected rise in household income and increasing consumer preference for more expensive brands and products.
Russia's war economy shows new cracks after ruble plunges
The Russian economy, surprisingly resilient through two-plus years of war and sanctions, has suddenly begun to show serious strains.
Colgate making right moves, but valuation a concern
Colgate Palmolive (India) Ltd has had a good run in recent quarters and continues to make efforts to boost growth.
Kalyani family's wealth war takes a fresh turn
Gaurishankar Kalyani has filed papers to back his claim that HUF exists
Zomato raises ₹8,500 crore via QIP
A big part of the proceeds is to be used to expand Zomato's quick commerce arm Blinkit
Fintech startup Klub halves workforce
Bengaluru-based financing startup Klub laid off about 60-70 employees in September and paused its commerce operations, according to multiple people aware of the developments.
