Retired Indian hockey star P R Sreejesh has shared a letter that he received from Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently in which the leader has lauded the former goalkeeper for his service to the game and expressed confidence in his ability to be “impactful” as the new national junior coach. Sreejesh called time on his illustrious 15-year career after India’s bronze-winning Paris Olympic campaign, which was the his and the team’s second successive Games medal after the bronze in Tokyo.

Known as ‘The Wall’ for his impeccable skills in front of the goalpost, Sreejesh was instrumental in guiding the team through remarkable successes, including two Asian Games gold medals, and two Champions Trophy silver medals.

Following his retirement, Hockey India appointed Sreejesh as the head coach of the junior men’s team and he vowed to make India a “powerhouse in hockey”.

Confident of Sreejesh’s impact as junior team coach, PM Modi wrote: “I am sure your work in the new role will be as impactful and inspirational.” “As you call it a day on your playing career, I wish to convey my heartfelt appreciation for your monumental contributions to Indian hockey,” Modi wrote in the letter dated August 16.

Sreejesh thanked Modi for his support.

“Received this heart-warming letter from @narendramodi Sir on my retirement. Hockey is my life and I’ll continue to serve the game and work towards making India a power in hockey, the start of which has been made with the 2020, 2024 Olympic medals. Thank You PM Sir for your faith in me,” Sreejesh wrote in X sharing PM Modi’s letter.

On Sreejesh’s illustrious career, Modi recalled the goalkeeper’s heroics in the triumphant Asian Games campaign in 2014. Modi also talked about Sreejesh playing an instrumental role in India’s quarterfinal finish in Rio Olympics and the bronze wins in Tokyo and Paris.

“There are countless such memories that one can recall and one letter would never be sufficient! The Prime Minister also hailed Sreejesh’s humility.

“Various awards, national and international medals that came your way reflect the heights you have achieved. But what has always stood out about you, Sreejesh, is your humility and grace, both on and off the field,” Modi wrote.

“I am confident that your passion, dedication and commitment will help nurture the next generation of world-beaters.

“I want to thank you for your tireless dedication, your remarkable career and for being a source of immense pride for India. Thanks for all the lovely memories and all the best for the future,” he added.

The Indian men’s hockey team will look to press the restart button after a successful Olympic campaign and defend its Asian Champions Trophy title when it open its campaign against hosts China here on Sunday. After bagging back-to-back Olympic bronze medals, India will start as favourites to defend their ACT title against top hockey playing nations of Asia in the form of China, Japan, Pakistan, Korea and Malaysia.

Last year, India won the title at home, making them the only team to bag four titles in the history of the tournament.

Back from a short break after the Paris Olympics, India skipper Harmanpreet Singh is keen on continuing their dominance in the continental championships.

“The Asian Champions Trophy last year gave us the right momentum going into the Asian Games and followed it up with the Olympic Games triumph of standing on the podium yet again. This time too, we want to begin the fresh Olympic cycle by winning this tournament,” Harmanpreet said ahed of their tournament opener.

“While we have 10 members from the Olympic side playing in this tournament, we have a few youngsters trying to make their impact in the team.

“In terms of game point-of-view, our attacking and penalty corners are our forte but we will be looking to play a structured defence, particularly against teams like Japan, Malaysia and Pakistan. This is an important tournament for us in terms of world ranking points and we are ready for the challenge,” he added.

After China, India will take on Japan in their second match on September 9, followed by games against last year’s runners-up Malaysia on September 11, Korea on September 12 and arch-rivals Pakistan on September 14.

The semifinal and final are scheduled for September 16 and 17.

Young India midfielder Vivek Sagar Prasad, who has been named as Harmanpreet’s deputy for this tournament, said this would give them a chance to see other teams’ progress ahead of the 2026 Asian Games.

“This tournament is one of the most exciting ones in the Asian Hockey calendar. We will also get to see the progress the Asian teams are making in the new cycle as they will play with a fresh group of players keeping in mind the Asian Games in 2026,” said Vivek, who will replace Hardik Singh as vice-captain.

Vivek is mesmerised by the scenic view and facilities on offer here.

“We arrived here earlier this week and have got good time on the pitch. The weather is suitable for us, but it gets a bit cold in the evening. The facility is incredible and perhaps one of the most beautiful hockey venues in the world.

“The excitement of hosting the first international tournament here is quite evident and we are looking forward to playing quality matches and entertaining the hockey-loving people of this region,” he said. 

After guiding the Indian senior men’s hockey team to a historic second successive bronze medal in the Paris Olympic Games, Craig Fulton, head coach, is now facing a new challenge. He has to drag back his players, who have been celebrating non-stop, to hockey and prepare them for the Asian Champions Trophy starting in Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia in China from September 8 to 17. In an exclusive interview with IANS, Fulton shared his thoughts on the Paris campaign, the India team’s performance and the upcoming challenges.

Excerpts:

Q: What is your assessment of the team’s performance in the Paris Olympic Games? The team won a historic bronze medal but that was not the aim at the start as the team could have gone all way. So, how do you see the overall performance?

Fulton: Very successful, from, obviously taking the job with three months before the Asian Games to qualifying and then having just a year to prepare a team for the Olympic Games and then to get to the semifinals and push as hard as we did in the semifinals. It was very, very close to playing in the gold medal match and unfortunately, we couldn’t find that extra goal or two. But we played really, really well. And then, you know, to pick ourselves back up and play a very strong Spanish team and to win the bronze was rewarding.

Of course, we wanted more. It would have been a disaster if we’d finished fourth, you know. So, I thought it was a successful campaign. We did a really good job in the Pool to make the quarterfinals after the first three games. We could have got something out of the Belgium game, which we narrowly lost 2-1, but we played well. And then the reward was after the five-match Test series loss in Australia, to win 3-2 in the last pool game, which was very, very rewarding.

Q: When did you think the team could win a medal? At what stage in the campaign were you confident that, okay, yes, this time we definitely will win a medal?

Fulton: At the beginning of the tournament, we had a good team build-up in Switzerland and we played two games against Holland. And in the second game, we should have won the game. We had a good lead, we were 3-2 up, but we were playing really, really well. And then we had a good game against Great Britain. We won the warm-up game and then we played Germany and we won the warm-up game before the tournament. So, I knew we were on track with our preparation leading into the first game. The first game was very difficult just because we hadn’t played New Zealand since the last time India lost in the World Cup quarterfinal. So, that was always a difficult game and I’m glad we played well and deserved to win that game.

So I would say before the tournament, we were tracking really well. The first three games got us into the quarterfinal because we had seven points and then we had a free go against Belgium. And then even when we played Belgium, I knew we were on track because we should have drawn that game. We should never have lost that game. At the same time, we had chances, but we’re playing well. We were pressing well. We’re moving the ball well. And then against Australia, everything came together. And to have Belgium and Australia as a warm-up to your quarterfinal, there was no better. There was no better test than that.

Q: Would you consider the win against Australia as one of the best performances since you have seen them?

Fulton: Yeah, well, I think the first game that India played in Tokyo was against Australia and I think they lost 7-1. So, they have come full circle and then beat them and it’s pretty much the same Australian team. There’s been a big movement from an Indian perspective and that was very rewarding.

Is it the best game? It was. I think the best game was, from a results point of view, the one against Great Britain in the quarterfinal, because of what was at stake. But the overall performance and the result of the Australian game was fantastic. it was right up there.

Q: Who among these players would you pick as the best performers in Paris?

Fulton: It’s a full squad effort. You can’t deny that. Harmanpreet Singh scored 10 goals, but he didn’t win all the PCs. You know, you need strikers, you need midfielders, you need Sreejesh, you need everyone. So I don’t like that in a sense, because you make a team sport, an individual sport, and it’s not. And then you have a massive work ethic with the staff behind the scenes that prepares everything from the conditioning to the technical to the tactical to the planning.

So, it’s a massive team effort. You know, Harman wouldn’t have scored those 10 goals if it wasn’t for the team in front of him. But no one can do what Harman does, you know, because he is the best drag-flicker in the world. So at that stage, yeah, it looked like it was his performance. It’s nice that he’s playing for our Indian team and not anyone else.

Q: The team will now be participating in the Asian Champions Trophy (in China from September 8) without Sreejesh there. How difficult is this task to, you know, fill in the shoes of somebody like him? What is your overall assessment of the preparation for the Asian Champions Trophy?

Fulton: To fill Sreejesh’s shoes is going to take an immense effort. I mean, Pathak (Krishan Bahadur Pathak) and Suraj (Suraj Karkera) will be the keepers going to the ACT. So, it’s nice for Pathak to play as the number one (goalkeeper). It’s been obviously really challenging for him in the last eight years, but also, at the same time, he’s grown and we’ve given him lots of opportunity, especially in the last year. He’s done quarters with Sreejesh, so he’s gained over 100 caps, so he’s really experienced. So it’s a positive place for Pathak.

The preparation is difficult because there’s a tournament a month after the Olympics and the celebrations have gone on for two, or three weeks post-Paris. So, it hasn’t been easy, but the tournament is there and we’re going to defend our title. So yeah, we’re going all in.

Q: How have you enjoyed the celebrations? I’m sure this is not the way they do it in countries where you have been coached earlier or in your own country.

Fulton: I think it’s very unique. I think it’s very special. India shares its love for the team because of how proud they were of the team and how close it came. I’m sure they’re glad we got the bronze. They were obviously wanting more, but they’re proud that the team achieved the bronze, which is awesome. And they share that openly. I think at the same time, not every other country has an Olympic legacy as India does, so they wouldn’t share the same kind of emotions as the Indian hockey public and as the Indian nation does, So, it’s just unique. Very, very unique. And it’s very special. Just when you have a tournament a month after the Olympics, it doesn’t make it easy. That’s the challenge (for the boys now).

Q: The players had a two to three-week break. How did you spend that time?

Fulton: I was home for eight, nine days. I’d been away for quite a bit, obviously, this year, so I really needed to connect with my family and I came back for the meeting with the Prime Minister and that was very special. I’ve been back since Saturday. And then we started training on Monday.

Q: So after Paris, the next major target for the team would be the 2026 World Cup, which is less than two years away. So overall, what are areas that the team would be focusing on in the next one-and-half to two years so that we can have a good World Cup?

Fulton: I haven’t really got that far down. We’ve got a tournament starting on the 8th of next month. So, I’m all focused on doing that properly. We’ve got three blocks. We’ve got this tournament, we’ve got Germany coming in October, and there’ll be an overseas tour in November, December where we’ll probably take some younger players and give them all an opportunity. And then we’ll select a core squad and then we’ll start again. The objective is to get ready for the World Cup, but right now we have to get ready for the Asian Champions Trophy (ACT).

Q: You have rested around five players, including Hardik Singh, Mandeep Singh and Lalit Upadhyay etc. So, how do you see the youngsters coming up? Do you feel that we have enough bench strength or do we need to work on that area also?

Fulton: Well, the next three months, we’re going to be working on building some depth in the squad that we have and giving them the opportunities to play. And then we’ll choose our core squad. But these strikers that have been or these players that have been selected now are good enough. They’ve been training well and I look forward to watching them play.

Q: Overall, what’s your aim in the ACT? Is it building your squad for the bigger tournaments or winning the title?

Fulton: Well, we always go to any tournament to win the title. We ranked No.1 in Asia, so we want to go and defend our title. We have a new-look team, but we’ve come off the back of a good campaign in Paris. That’ll be a nice challenge. But we’ve still got some training left that we need to get through and do well and then prep the team so that it’s ready to play its first game against China.

India hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh on Wednesday said that his side was unlucky to lose to Germany in the Paris Olympics semifinal despite creating several chances but termed the back-to-back bronze winning performance a “huge achievement”. India repeated their 2021 Tokyo Games performance in Paris, defeating Spain to win consecutive bronze medals for the first time in 52 years. The keenly-contested semifinal earlier saw India going down to reigning world champions Germany 2-3 to set up a bronze-medal match with Spain.

“It (semifinal vs Germany) was a very close match. I think we created a lot of chances but you can say we were not lucky that day and some chances were off target,” Harmanpreet told PTI Videos during a felicitation ceremony organised by the Odisha government.

“But I think the bronze medal was very important. It was the last match of the tournament and feeling very happy after winning the match. Our effort was that we should fulfil our dream (of winning gold) but somehow we were unlucky.

“But, still, we had the bronze medal to play for. So, we went into the match with that mindset that we will win. We’ve won back-to-back medals in hockey; it’s a very big thing for us,” he added.

Harmanpreet was left speechless with the reception given to the players, saying the team gets the same affection every time it comes to Odisha.

“And, this time, we are getting all the more affection. Whenever the team comes here, be it to play in a tournament or after winning a medal, it always feels nice… we get a lot of respect,” added Harmanpreet.

On the occasion, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced cash prizes for the members of the team with star player from the state Amit Rohidas getting Rs four crore. India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh was given Rs 50 lakh while other players in the squad got Rs 15 lakh each. The support staff got Rs 10 lakh each.

Harmanpreet also thanked the state government for sponsoring hockey.

“It (Odisha) has one of the best facilities in India; good stadia, good grounds and we were getting so much support from the Odisha government. To organise such major tournament and get the crowds to the stadia is a big thing and I on behalf of the team want to thank the state,” he said.

Odisha has become the hub of hockey in the last few years organising several big-ticket competitions for men and women, including World Cups, Asian competitions and Pro League matches among others.

The felicitation ceremony, which was attended by the state’s chief minister, saw a grand welcome being accorded to the players.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met retired India hockey player PR Sreejesh and his family at his residence on Independence Day. A video of the meeting is going viral on social media in which PM Modi could be seen having a quality time with the family. In the same clip, the PM asks Sreejesh’s son Sreeansh “ye maarta hai (Does he hit you)?” after pointing towards the retired hockey star. The boy nodded in reply, leaving everyone in splits. Later in the video, the PM was seen offering sweet to the kid.

Watch it here:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi meeting PR Sreejesh & his family after the historic Bronze medal at Paris Olympics pic.twitter.com/oV98ELbgW8

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) August 16, 2024

Indian hockey’s goalkeeping stalwart Sreejesh, who was given a grand welcome on his arrival at the international airport in Kochi, said he will be spending the next 2-3 months to mentally prepare himself to transition from a player to a coach.

With regard to the enthusiastic welcome given to him, including a roadshow from the airport to Palarivattom, he said it was like the “cherry on top of the cake”.

“Working hard for the country, sacrificing a lot and then winning a medal, it is not just for me, but for the country. So, to be a part of this happiness, the welcome organised by everyone, is like the cherry on top of the cake. The pleasure is doubled,” he said, speaking to reporters outside the airport.

Regarding the next step of his career, Sreejesh said that he knows what he has to do as a player.

“But, as a coach, what all I should do or the transition from a player to a coach, I have to mentally prepare for that. So, I will spend the next 2-3 months on that,” he said.

A big crowd, including several MLAs, welcomed Sreejesh at the airport.

People holding up placards with his photo cheered him on as he came out of the airport.

Thereafter, the hockey player held a roadshow from the airport in an open-top jeep.

Along the route of his roadshow, people waved and cheered him on, some handed him flowers and bouquets and others walked up to his vehicle to shake his hand and congratulate him, according to visuals shown on TV channels.

Sreejesh bid adieu to the game following his starring role in the country’s second consecutive Olympic bronze at the just-concluded Paris Games.

He is now going to be the team coach of the junior Indian hockey team.

(With PTI Inputs)

First he hated her — for being better than him at school. But as it happens in Bollywood movies, “hate” was followed by love. That’s how the romance between P R Sreejesh and Aneeshya unfolded at the GVN Sports School in Kerala. Eventually, the long jumper reciprocated, and accepted the future national hockey goalkeeper as her soulmate. Sreejesh, who retired from the national team after the Paris Olympics, opened up about his love story during an interaction with PTI editors on Tuesday, speaking candidly about how he fell for Aneeshya. He was already studying at the sports school, located in Kannur, when Aneeshya got admitted in 2001.

“I was a bright student, top of the class. I was a superstar, the teacher’s pet and favourite of everyone. She came and suddenly I see, she was better than me, scoring well in everything. I would score between 35 to 42 out of 50, she was getting 49, straight up 50.

“So I started to hate her; we became enemies and that’s how it was before love blossomed,” he said.

Their love has endured for over two decades, more than 10 of them as a married couple.

If anyone needs proof, they could just glance at Sreejesh’s hockey sticks at the Paris Olympics — her name was etched on a customised stick that the 36-year-old charismatic goalkeeper used at the Games, where his phenomenal 336 international caps career drew to a close with a second successive bronze medal for India.

Aneeshya, who is now an Ayurveda doctor, married Sreejesh in 2013 in an intimate temple ceremony, where only close family and friends were present.

In a recent interaction with PTI Bhasha, she had spoken about her mixed feelings on Sreejesh’s international retirement. While she was happy to get more time with him at home, she said the sports fan in her would miss his towering presence in the Indian goalpost.

Sreejesh revealed that when he started playing hockey, his primary objective was to land a decent job, which was also crucial to convince Aneeshya’s parents that he was a worthy match for her.

“…in Kerala before approaching the girl’s father, you have to be financially secure,” he said.

Needless to say that he won in life, managing to marry the girl he loved before becoming a living legend in the sport he chose to play, much like the fairytale romances that Bollywood churns out every second week.

“When I was a kid, I used to love watching movies, love stories,” he said with a mischievous grin on his face, remembering the time he started living in a sports hostel just to be able to watch films whenever he wanted with his friends.

“That was my intention to join the hostel, not the sports,” he admitted.

‘Don’t want my kids to feel burdened by my legacy’

Sreejesh and Aneeshya have two children — son Sreeansh and daughter Anusree. Their names are also etched on hockey sticks that Sreejesh used alternately in the Olympic Games matches.

“They (the children) are like my eyes, you can’t have a favourite eye. But you have just one heart, so that’s for my wife,” he said.

“In matches, I can rotate sticks and I try to use both the sticks with the names of my son and daughter. My daughter likes pink whereas my son likes blue.

“But in shootouts, you don’t have a choice, you have to use one stick. Similarly, when you are married, you don’t have choice,” he quipped.

“You have to keep everyone happy.” Speaking of happiness, Sreejesh said he never forces his choices on his children and would never want them to feel burdened by his rich legacy either.

“My daughter said she likes swimming, so I sent her for swimming and after seeing (PV) Sindhu, she wanted to become a badminton player. I said you start badminton no problem.

“My son wanted to become Virat Kohli, but now he is not working out at all. He said ‘no dad I can’t sweat’…if they want to pick up something I am more than happy because I don’t want my name to be a burden on their shoulders.

“In India you do have a tendency to compare children with parents. I don’t want to do that,” said the man who was widely considered the heart of the Indian team.

India men’s hockey team in action© AFP

Image for representative use© AFP

Hockey’s emotional connection with India and its sports lovers is such that it would not be off the mark to call it the ‘most beloved sport’ in the country. For years, India’s dominance in hockey at the global level saw millions getting hooked on it. Then, there came a lean period, a dark phase when all seemed lost. A team that had once won eight gold medals at the Olympics, could not even qualify for the quadrennial extravaganza in the 2008 edition. But Indian hockey is past that phase, and the Paris Olympics 2024 was a strong example of it. 

The Indian hockey team, led by Harmanpreet Singh, achieved a historic first in 52 years at the Paris Games as it won the bronze medal defeating Spain. This was the first time since the 1972 Olympics that India won medals at the Games in back-to-back editions. At the Tokyo 2020 Games, India had ended a long medal drought in hockey by bringing home the bronze. 

“It was a great experience in Paris. We had gone there with the aim of winning the gold medal. We had great support from the countrymen. In a big tournament anything can happen. Specifically if I speak, the win against Australia, the win against Great Britain despite playing with 10 men for most of the match was truly great. We won back-to-back medals and it was a big achievement,” Harmanpreet said. 

The young Vivek Sagar Prasad, 24, played a pivotal role in the win. “It’s all about team spirit. It’s important to have no divide between seniors and juniors. Senior players ensured that we mingle with them. That thing is really great in this team. The seniors motivated us well,” he said. 

“We all have responsibility. Today’s hockey is so fast that often there is little divide between striker and defender. So, in such a scenario, a positive team environment helps,” Gurjant Singh added. 

Former India captain Manpreet Singh that they knew that the expectations were high this time around after the side’s win in Tokyo. “We had specific planning for all the matches and the team bonded well in executing the plan,” he said. 

Harmanpreet then delivered an important message to all those who follow the game. “All the sport lovers, whatever the game is, should support us in our tough period too. If that happens, we will grow and deliver better results,” he said. “No player, who stars for India, goes into a game thinking he or she will lose. So I would say support players.”

Harmanpreet was India’s top-scorer at the Paris Olympics with 10 goals. He was India’s main Penalty Corner converter.   

“Talking about facilities, we are the best country. As far as European countries are concerned, the matches that they play amongst themselves, it’s great. The European hockey League is great, it makes them strong. Their knowledge increases. Now, we will have the Hockey India League. That will be important. All top players and coaches will come. It will be a best opportunity for the youngsters,” he said.

After the Olympics, the players will get a rest of two to three weeks. Post that, India will compete at the Asian Champions Trophy. 

Harmanpreet went on to say that they have felt a shift in attitude on how rivals and fans treated India at the Paris Games. “After we won the quarter-final vs Great Britain, we got extra attention, even from those who did not play hockey,” Harmanpreet said. 

While most players of this current team will continue to bring more laurels for India, goalkeeper PR Seejesh has decided to retire. “With him we share great memories. Our medal was dedicated to him. He is a legend. He saved important shots in the shootout vs Great Britain in  the quarter-final,” Manpreet Singh said. Jarmanpreet revealed that they often call Sreejesh as ‘Siri’.

Vivek, who was Sreejesh’s roommate at the Olympics, said: “He is knowledgeable. He encouraged me to be disciplined, to keep things tidy, and read books before sleeping. I am trying to learn from him, though I have not started reading books (laughs). He reads a lot of novels. I know his secrets but I won’t talk about them.”

Sreejesh will be the next coach of the Indian junior hockey team.  

Before signing off, Harmanpreet lauded the efforts of Hockey India, Odisha Government and the Government of India for their continued support.

Just-retired India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh is a legend of the game and will inspire the next generation of hockey players in the country, said his teammates on Saturday, after returning from Paris Olympics with a second successive bronze medal. Eight-time Olympic champions India clinched a bronze medal in Paris, beating Spain 2-1 in the play-off match. The last of India’s Olympic hockey golds came in 1980. “Sreejesh is the best person, a legend, and India calls him the ‘Great Wall’, amazing, that is all I can say he played his best hockey, and he has contributed to the country by playing hockey, and the standard he has set as a goalkeeper, it will inspire the next generation,” forward Lalit Upadhyay said during a felicitation ceremony here.

“I would like to thank the entire country because of the overwhelming support you have given to hockey, like the last time but even more so now, hockey is still in the hearts of people, they continue to love the sport and continue to support.” Lalit was also full of praise for inspirational skipper Harmanpreet Singh, who scored 10 goals to emerge as the highest scorer of the tournament.

“The country has given him (Harmanpreet) a new nickname (Sarpanch). I am glad that the country gave him this nickname, the ones who love hockey, as a great captain, he has shown his character and to be the top scorer of the Olympics is a big achievement.

“He is a legend, there is much more to do now, and our vision is that we move forward and we can change the colour of the medal and achieve our dream.” Lalit recollected the fighting spirit shown by the side against Great Britain in the quarterfinal when they were down to 10 men for more than 40 minutes of the match but eventually came out winners.

“I would like to thank the coaching staff and all the players, we played like a cohesive unit and showed the character of the team, we had to give it our all, because in that moment we had no option to back down. That was the match and I cannot say more,” he said.

Defender Jarmanpreet Singh wished Sreejesh luck following his retirement from hockey.

“I do not need to say anything about Sreejesh, the entire country praises him and has seen him play, they all call him the ‘Wall’, he is a legend and a great player. I had a lot of fun playing hockey with him, and I wish Sreejesh continues to do good work for hockey,” he said.

He also praised skipper Harmanpreet’s effort in the tournament.

“Harmanpreet is a goal machine of the team and we receive a lot of help from him he is the ‘Sarpanch’.” Jarmanpreet was happy with his own performance in his maiden Olympics.

“I enjoyed myself at this year’s Olympics, this was my first Olympics, and my target was to perform well for my team and the country.