Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lauded the Indian hockey team and its captain, Harmanpreet Singh, for orchestrating a heartfelt farewell for the esteemed goalkeeper PR Sreejesh. Sreejesh, who had announced that the Paris Olympics would mark the end of his remarkable career, concluded his tenure on a high note as the Indian team clinched the bronze medal.
The Indian hockey team’s victory in the bronze medal match, where they triumphed over Spain 2-1, marked a significant achievement, as it was their second consecutive Olympic medal in hockey after a 52-year interval. This win underscored the team’s resilience and commitment, even after falling short of their gold medal aspirations.
Prime Minister Modi hosted the Indian Olympic contingent at his residence in Delhi, where he spoke with Sreejesh about his retirement decision. The legendary goalkeeper shared that he had been considering retirement for several years and saw the Olympics as the perfect platform to conclude his career. “I was thinking about it for a few years. Even my team members were asking when I would retire,” Sreejesh reflected. “I felt that after playing for around 20 years, retiring at the Olympics, where the world celebrates sports, was the best decision.”
During the same gathering, PM Modi expressed his deep appreciation for Harmanpreet Singh’s role in ensuring a memorable farewell for Sreejesh. Modi praised Singh and the team for their supportive gesture, acknowledging Singh’s leadership and the emotional farewell provided to Sreejesh. “I must say that the team will miss you for sure. However, the way the team gave you a farewell was commendable. I appreciate them, Sarpanch sahab (Harmanpreet Singh) did great,” Modi said.
Sreejesh himself expressed profound gratitude for the support and camaraderie from his teammates. Despite the team’s disappointment over not reaching the gold medal match, the bronze medal held special significance. “It was hard for us when we lost the semi-final. We had a clear goal to reach the final and win gold. When that dream was shattered, everyone rallied to win the bronze for me. I’m proud of what I’ve achieved for my country and thanked my teammates from the podium,” Sreejesh said.
The Indian hockey team’s dedication and the touching farewell to Sreejesh highlight not only their sporting excellence but also the strong bonds and respect within the team.
