PR Sreejesh after India’s bronze medal win at Paris Olympics 2024© AFP
“This is the better way to finish,” mentioned iconic Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh on Thursday, ruling out any chance of reversing his choice to retire from worldwide hockey after inspiring the workforce to a second successive bronze medal within the Olympic Games. With Sreejesh taking part in in his final match, India beat Spain 2-1 within the third-place play-off to win back-to-back bronze medals on the showpiece. The final time, an Indian hockey workforce pulled off consecutive Olympic podium finishes was method again in 1972. “I think this is the better way to finish an Olympic Games, with a medal. We are not going home empty-handed, that’s a great thing,” Sreejesh mentioned on ‘Jio Cinema’.
“I respect the sentiments of people (who may have wanted him to continue). But some decisions are hard, but taking a decision at right time makes the situation more beautiful,” Sreejesh mentioned after the match “So, my decision stays,” he asserted, when requested if he could rethink.
The 36-year-old from Kerala, whose illustrious profession spanned 18 years, had introduced earlier than the Olympics that he would name it quits on the finish of India’s marketing campaign.
“The team did a wonderful job and made this game so beautiful,” mentioned Sreejesh who can be going as the very best goalkeeper that India has ever produced.
He was additionally an element within the bronze-winning workforce in Tokyo the place the nation gained a medal after 41 years.
“Tokyo has a special place in my heart. That (bronze) gave us back the confidence that we can win medals (in Olympics).” The ‘Great Wall of Indian Hockey’ performed greater than 300 matches for India.
In Paris, he was in wonderful kind and made a number of essential saves for the nation throughout regulation time in addition to throughout penalty shoot-outs.
Topics talked about on this article
