Veteran PR Sreejesh Discusses His 'Dream Send-off' With R Ashwin, Reveals He Had the Urge to Stay

PR Sreejesh capped off his international hockey career as one of the finest Indian goalkeepers. The veteran was in peak form against all the challenges in Paris when India faced off against some of the globally acclaimed hockey teams. Sreejesh recently met with R Ashwin and spoke on his retirement at the Paris Olympics, saying that he couldn't have received a better farewell than what he received in Paris.

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Hockey India Veteran PR Sreejesh Speaks About His Retirement on R Ashwin's Show

During his appearance at the 'DRS with Ash' show with host R Ashwin, PR Sreejesh opened up on his retirement from professional hockey at the Paris Olympics. The veteran goalkeeper exclaimed that he still had the hunger to compete for a couple of years since his fitness and performance were doing well. While he agreed that retiring was a difficult decision, he wanted to sign off at the Olympics and felt it was the right thing to do.

"I wanted to go with a lot of pride, with a feeling of honour that I have contributed to the best of my ability to this country. When I was going to the Olympics, I was wondering if this should be the last Olympics or if should play for a couple more years. My fitness and performance were good. Quitting was a bit difficult, but I felt it was the right decision. I thought I wanted to sign off there.

"This is a dream send-off for any sportsperson. This was my last tournament, the last Olympics and in that I won the bronze. I got the opportunity to be the flagbearer at the closing ceremony. And then when I come back home, Hockey India is hosting a felicitation ceremony. And there, they are declaring that Sreejesh 'with you your number is retired from Indian hockey'. That was perfect. it was a dream journey. I don't think I should expect anything more than this," PR Sreejesh said.

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PR Sreejesh ended his career as one of the finest Hockey India goalkeepers at the Paris Olympics. He was a part of India's bronze medal-winning campaigns at the Summer Games, and his brilliance led the team to secure a medal at the French Capital.