Paris Olympics 2024: India wants to win medal for PR Sreejesh, says Harmanpreet Singh
Indian men’s hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh has said that the team wants to dedicate their Paris Olympics 2024 campaign to retiring goalkeeper PR Sreejesh and win a medal for him.
Sreejeh, who has been one of India’s best goalkeepers of all time, decided to bring down the curtains on his playing career after the event in Paris. The 36-year-old had played a pivotal role in India’s bronze medal win at Tokyo.
Sreejesh had initially suggested he could play well beyond the Paris Olympics but then went on to announce his decision before the games started. Harmanpreet, who is set for his third Olympics alongside Sreejesh, penned an emotional message for the India goalkeeper on his Instagram account. The India captain said that Sreejesh has been an inspiration to the team. Harmanpreet also remembered the 2016 Jr. men’s World Cup where Sreejesh served as a mentor to the team and helped them lift the title.
Harmanpreet said that the team wants to ‘win it for Sreejesh’ and they’re more encouraged to stand on the podium once again at the Olympics.
“‘Paris 2024 will indeed be a special tournament. We have decided to dedicate our campaign to the legend PR Sreejesh. He has been an inspiration for all of us and I still remember his mentorship in 2016 Junior World Cup when we lifted the title. It was the beginning of many of our careers in International hockey. We want to ‘Win it for Sreejesh’ and we are all the more encouraged to stand on the podium once again.’
Respect machaa,” said Harmanpreet.
What Sreejesh said about his retirement
Sreejesh opened up about his retirement on social media and said he looks back at his career with immense pride and his journey has been nothing short of extraordinary.
“As I prepare for my last dance in Paris, I look back with immense pride and forward with hope. This journey has been nothing short of extraordinary, and I am forever grateful for the love and support from my family, teammates, coaches, and fans.”
“Thank you for believing in me. Here’s to the end of a chapter and the beginning of a new adventure,” said Sreejesh.
India will begin their campaign on July 27 against New Zealand.