PR Sreejesh Withdraws From Hockey India League 2024 Player Auction: Hopes to Become a Mentor for Young Talent
Grand Indian hockey player PR Sreejesh said he would be pulling his name off the list of players eligible for the player auction of Hockey India League (HIL) 2024. And this marks a new direction for him. Sreejesh was 36 years old. He is a member of the team, which scripted history by emerging as the first Indian team to win an Olympic medal in over a century, when the team emerged victorious against the Tokyo Olympics to take the bronze. The decision from Sreejesh comes when the HIL is returning after its absence for seven years and now he can indulge himself in groom a new generation of talent for Indian hockey. A brief journey of Sreejesh and a new role for Indian hockey.
A Thoughtful Decision to Retire
After much deliberation, PR Sreejesh, the erstwhile goalkeeper of the Indian hockey team, has made the decision to retire from play. In a letter penned to Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey, he reminisces and puts forth his feeling and aspirations towards serving the sport.
“I have thought through a lot and have decided to withdraw my name from the Player Auction for the upcoming Hockey India League,” said Sreejesh. “I do not want a bad memory to finish my career but that I had enjoyed all those special moments with the national team.” “Bowing down to the goalpost after the win over Spain and celebrating with my teammates was special and I want those memories to remain with me for ages,” he shared.
Sreejesh said going back into the field for “One Last Dance” does not suit him as he will be scared to know whether this might overshadow his memories and achievements of a distinguished career. That reflects in his choice-the resolve to save the legacy of the playing days and give way to younger talents.
A New Journey in Mentorship
Now, with playing days behind him, Sreejesh is set to embark on a new adventure – that of mentoring the next generation of Indian hockey stars. His letter said: “My love and passion for Indian hockey remain the same, and with your blessings, I am about to take on a new journey as a coach and mentor to the next generation of champions.”
Sreejesh will be closely playing with the Delhi franchise in this revamped HIL as he reunites with former Indian team coach Graham Reid, who now takes charge of the side. The two had shared some great success earlier in time with India when they had won a silver medal for India at the Tokyo Olympics.
Sreejesh will be a key for the Delhi franchise as it tries to piece together a strong outfit for the league. “It will more or less be a mentorship role, using my experience to assist the team in every way possible,” he added, signaling his commitment toward sharing his wealth of knowledge with young players.
Impact of the Hockey India League on Indian Hockey
The Hockey India League has always been a metamorphic nursery that nurtures fresh talent in hockey from India, he said. Speaking to the same point, Sreejesh admitted that the league had made a tremendous change in his own career as well as many others.
“The HIL, in its previous stint, was crucial for nurturing an entire generation of Indian players and formed the base that powered India’s international successes in the past couple of years, ” he said. Sreejesh feels the league will again prove to be the perfect platform for young Indian players to be exposed to and gain the needed international experience to perform on the big stage.
This should complement the fact that Indian hockey is on the rise, where men’s teams are seen doing very well in the international scenario. A reverse journey from being an acrobat to a coach also makes it certain that there is a future ride in Indian hockey under the bright sunshine, even when the newer talent joins up in future playgrounds.
A Glorious Career and an Everlasting Legacy
In the long list of players that emerged from the player auction curtain, the one player who won hearts with glittering over a decade-long career is PR Sreejesh. It is considered as one of the best goalkeepers ever in Indian hockey history, and his leadership and goalkeeping skills were the crucial factors behind the resurging India under him to secure the bronze medal at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics–the first Olympic hockey medal in 41 years.
Some of his achievements include a silver medal in 2016 Champions Trophy and gold medal at Asian Games 2014. The Indian men’s national hockey team, under his captaincy, won the hearts of many through his calmness, tactical genius, and motivational inspirations on the ground under his leadership.
Much appreciated by the fans, players, and the hockey fraternity, this decision of retirement from international hockey and assuming a mentoring role was much acclaimed. Sreejesh will forever be remembered as a player who had really contributed towards the betterment of Indian hockey not only with individual achievements but also as a pillar holding up the performance of the team at the global level.
The Mentoring: The Future of Indian Hockey
Now that Sreejesh is taking up the seat of the mentor, his experience will come out pretty crucial to be passed on to the next generation in terms of tactical awareness as well as leadership qualities. In high-pressure situations, he would prove an excellent source of guidance as to how to win at the highest level for guiding the younger goalkeepers and players.
That is a huge task the Delhi franchise led by Sreejesh would marshal efforts at so that they build strong team play for the Hindustan Hockey League. He would work towards building the game of Indian hockey at large. And, through his involvement in the league, there would be an impact on the performance level of the Delhi franchise, but more importantly, upon the bigger cause for the vision of Indian hockey.
A life that Sreejesh has lived as a player will be marked, but the next iteration of his, which promises to leave an indelible mark on Indian hockey, is that of a mentor. Hockey India League is returning in all its glory, as heralded by a string of moves that also see involvement from legends such as Sreejesh in giving back to the game.
Conclusion
One new chapter in the glorious career of PR Sreejesh, for he has taken the call to withdraw from the Hockey India League 2024 Player Auction so as to take on the role of a mentor. His focus would remain mentoring future hockey heroes. Being blessed with all experience and serving as a pillar of leadership quality, this man would make a fine mentor and ensure that Indian hockey shines well in the coming years.
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