In a historic move, Hockey India has retired the iconic No. 16 jersey worn by PR Sreejesh, one of India’s greatest goalkeepers, following his remarkable bronze medal win at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Sreejesh, 36, has been a cornerstone of Indian hockey for nearly two decades, earning widespread admiration for his unwavering commitment and incredible skill on the field.
Fitting Farewell with Olympic Glory
PR Sreejesh’s illustrious career, which spans 18 years, culminated in a second consecutive Olympic bronze medal for the Indian men’s hockey team. The victory in Paris, where India defeated Spain 2-1 in the third-place playoff, was a fitting tribute to the veteran keeper, often referred to as “The Great Indian Wall of Hockey.”
Indian skipper Harmanpreet Singh played a crucial role in securing the medal, scoring twice in the 30th and 33rd minutes, while Spain’s lone goal came from a penalty stroke by captain Marc Miralles.
Hockey India’s Tribute to Legend
Hockey India paid special tribute to Sreejesh during a celebratory event, where General Secretary Bhola Nath Singh announced the retirement of the No. 16 jersey at the senior level, a significant gesture honouring Sreejesh’s contributions to the sport.
“PR Sreejesh’s retirement marks a significant moment in the history of Indian hockey. For nearly two decades, Sreejesh has been the cornerstone of our national team, embodying the spirit, resilience, and excellence that define Indian hockey,” Singh said. He also highlighted the Kerala-born goalkeeper’s impact beyond the field, setting a benchmark for goalkeepers in India.
As a token of appreciation, Sreejesh was presented with a trophy and a cash prize of INR 25 Lakhs.
Passing Torch to Next Generation for PR Sreejesh
In addition to retiring his jersey number, Singh announced that Sreejesh will take on the role of head coach for the Indian Junior Hockey team. However, the No. 16 jersey will remain active in the junior ranks, with the hope that Sreejesh can mentor a new generation of goalkeepers who will carry on his legacy.
“We will not retire No. 16 Jersey in Junior Hockey so that Sreejesh could create another ‘Sreejesh, No.16’ as a coach,” Singh stated, adding an interesting caveat to the retirement of the jersey.
Influence beyond field
Indian men’s hockey team head coach Craig Fulton also took the opportunity to praise Sreejesh, highlighting his relentless drive and the vital role he played in the team. “He wears his heart on his sleeve. The beautiful thing about him is that you’ll know when he’s happy and when he’s not. He is an amazing player as well, worked really hard on himself. It’s a totally different dynamic in the goalkeeper role and you’ve got to really love your keeper. And, we sure do love Sreejesh,” Fulton expressed.
Glorious Journey for PR Sreejesh
Sreejesh’s journey began in 2004 when he debuted for the junior national team, followed by his senior team debut in 2006 at the South Asian Games in Colombo. Over the years, he has been a part of four Olympic Games, four World Cups, three Asian Games, and three Commonwealth Games, earning numerous accolades, including being named the ‘Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament’ at the 2008 Junior Asia Cup.
As Sreejesh steps into his new role as coach, his legacy as one of India’s greatest hockey players is firmly cemented, inspiring future generations to strive for excellence.
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