Indian Hockey Legend PR Sreejesh Retires with Bronze Medal and Meets PM Modi
Kochi (Kerala) [India], August 16: Indian hockey star PR Sreejesh, who retired after winning a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, shared his excitement about meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Sreejesh expressed how encouraging it is for athletes when the Prime Minister takes time out of his busy schedule to meet them.
After returning to his home state of Kerala, Sreejesh received a warm welcome from the people. He said, “It is amazing, from the airport to my hometown I do not know how many children I met. They were all so happy, chanting my name, it is one of the best things for me. A lot of politicians, people and college students were there as well. Thank you all for this great support.”
Talking about his meeting with PM Modi, Sreejesh said, “Whenever we go for any tournament, once you come back, you need to meet him. That is what he says to us. He (PM Modi) always takes time for us. He spent quality time with us, he asked us about our performance, how were the facilities there and talked about what we could do to improve ourselves. It has become a normal routine for us.”
He added, “It is an encouraging thing for us, the busiest person in the country, finds time for us. He showcased that he is one of the best leaders in the world. I got permission to have my family meet him, he played with my kids and asked my parents and brother how they were doing. It was fantastic. He fed a chocolate to my son.”
On Independence Day, PM Modi met the Indian contingent of the Paris Olympics at his residence in New Delhi. Sreejesh also shared that the Paris Olympics was special for him. Since he could not take his family with him, he named his two playing sticks after his kids and his shootout stick after his wife to feel their presence.
He also spoke about being called the ‘God of Modern Hockey,’ saying, “The God of Modern Hockey is a great compliment. I have heard the ‘God of Cricket,’ Sachin Tendulkar. What else you can dream about.”
Sreejesh confirmed that he will venture into coaching and join Hockey India soon, as coaching is his passion.
The Indian hockey team, led by Harmanpreet Singh, secured a historic bronze medal by defeating Spain 2-1. This marked their second consecutive Olympic medal, an achievement last accomplished 52 years ago. The match, held at the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium, was also the farewell game for legendary goalkeeper PR Sreejesh.
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PR Sreejesh -: PR Sreejesh is a famous Indian hockey player who played as a goalkeeper. He is known for his excellent skills and has represented India in many international tournaments.
Bronze Medal -: A bronze medal is an award given to the third-place finisher in a competition. In the Olympics, it means the athlete or team came third in their event.
Paris Olympics -: The Paris Olympics refers to the Olympic Games that were held in Paris, France. The Olympics is a big sports event where athletes from all over the world compete in various sports.
Kerala -: Kerala is a state in the southern part of India. It is known for its beautiful landscapes, backwaters, and rich culture.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi -: Narendra Modi is the current Prime Minister of India. He is the head of the government and makes important decisions for the country.
Hockey India -: Hockey India is the organization that manages the sport of field hockey in India. They organize tournaments and help develop the sport in the country.
Harmanpreet Singh -: Harmanpreet Singh is an Indian hockey player who is known for his skills as a defender and drag-flicker. He was the captain of the Indian team that won the bronze medal.
Spain -: Spain is a country in Europe. In this context, it refers to the Spanish hockey team that competed against India in the Olympics.