Hockey Legend PR Sreejesh To Retire After Paris Olympics

PR Sreejesh, the veteran goalkeeper and former India hockey captain, is set to retire from the sport after the Paris Olympics. The 36-year-old was a towering presence on the Indian men’s hockey team for well over a decade. PR Sreejesh, who made his international debut in 2006, announced his retirement on Monday through X. 

"As I stand on the threshold of my final chapter in international hockey, my heart swells with gratitude and reflection. This journey has been nothing short of extraordinary, and I am forever grateful for the love and support from my family, teammates, coaches, and fans," said PR Sreejesh in a post on X on Monday. PR Sreejesh emerged as a national star during the 2011 Asian Champions Trophy, where he saved two penalty strokes in the final against Pakistan. 

The hockey veteran, who hails from Ernakulam district in Kerala, has been an integral part of the Indian team that won a gold medal at the 2014 Asian Games and a bronze medal at the 2015 FIH Hockey World League Final. PR Sreejesh was also part of India’s men’s hockey team that won the bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Notably, he has made 328 appearances for the senior team. PR Sreejesh is the only second sportsperson from the country to win the World Games Athlete of the Year award in 2021. Meanwhile, the Indian hockey team will start its Olympic campaign against New Zealand on July 27.