Noida: PR Sreejesh has been overwhelmed in the past two months given the manner in which he was bid adieu from the goalpost after the conclusion of the Paris Olympics 2024. The veteran Indian goalkeeper ended his 18-year-old illustrious career in the French capital with two Olympic medals after India bagged back-to-back third-place finish with a 2-1 win over Spain in the bronze medal playoff.
The Kerala-born Sreejesh once again got the opportunity to bow before the goalpost which he guarded for close to two decades with vigilance and exuberance. What ensued was felicitation programmes from government, corporates and sports federations to celebrate his awe-inspiring journey.
For the hockey aficionados, to get the sight of Sreejesh in the guards and protectors with the helmet on top was still up for grabs with the player planning to participate in the reinstated Hockey India League (HIL), which was in the developmental stage to return back during the Olympics.
Just a few days ago, the 36-year-old wrote a letter to Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey, as reported by The Hindu, to express his gratitude towards the federation for hosting a grand felicitation ceremony for his retirement, wherein his jersey number 16 was retired. In the same letter, he mentioned to pull out from the HIL player auction after feeling contented with a high-octane farewell from the game.
In the meantime (from his retirement to withdrawal), there was something that knocked the doors for the Indian hockey star who was also appointed as the junior national coach.
On Friday, Sreejesh was named the Team Director of the Delhi franchise, which is owned by the SG Sports and Entertainment (SGSE). The franchise will be named as Delhi SG Pipers in the restructured HIL. It was former Indian tennis player and 12-time Grand Slam winner Mahesh Bhupathi’s efforts for roping in Sreejesh for the unprecedented administrator’s role. In his capacity as the CEO of SGSE, Bhupathi convinced the fomer Indian hockey player with the promise of developing Indian hockey, strengthening the grassroot level was the top priority.
“Mahesh bhai approached me. I was not pretty sure about this because from a player to administrator’s position is a big step. He made it simple policy which is help us to develop hockey. Ultimately, that is what I want. That is why I am here,” Sreejesh said while addressing to reporters in Noida in his first speech as a Team Director.
New role …New responsibilities….New challenges… Namasthe Delhi 🙏
Delhi SG pipers #directer #mentor #coach #Ambassador #HIL @HockeyIndiaLeag pic.twitter.com/YVqr0Q8F78
— sreejesh p r (@16Sreejesh) October 4, 2024
The player-turned-administrator has clearly mentioned that his role with the Delhi outfit will be versatile and won’t stick around the director’s hat.
“They (SGSE) mentioned me as a director, but I won’t be an officer who is in the suit there for sure. For coaches, I will be the assistant coach, for the players, I am going to be a mentor, for the goalkeepers, I am going to be a senior player who is going to help them. I will be there with the team 24 x 7, and with my experience and knowledge, whatever I can do (in my capacity, I will do),” he added.
Mahesh on Sreejesh’s appointment
Mahesh revealed that the plan to chase Sreejesh for this role was initiated during the 2024 Olympics, though it was challenging for them given many of their rivals were also interested to rope in the Indian hockey stalwart in a similar kind of position.
“I messaged him right after the Olympics. I was there (in Paris) and I watched the bronze medal game live,” Mahesh responded to a News9 Sports query in the press conference.
“Everyone was talking about the Hockey India League, who the players will be, though we weren’t sure who the players are going to be and everyone thought Sreejesh is going to be the one everyone is going to chase him (in the auction).”
“I had to kind of reach down (with) connections, influences and relationships in the industry to speak to him. It didn’t take that long to materialise (or finalise the deal). By the way, he was chased by all franchises, not just us,” Mahesh added.
PR Sreejesh’s 2036 Olympics dream
The SGSE have a long-term vision for its hockey entity and promises to build strong teams in both men’s and women’s competitions. The group will bank on Sreejesh’s expertise with the game to build a core group of players which help them to lift the titles. For Sreejesh, the larger picture is to prepare youngsters for the Olympic Games from the grassroot stage.
“2036 Olympics is my ultimate target. Hockey India has given me a platform to work with the junior squad, but this thing is above (age) groups. They ( have given me a platform where I can go deeper and prepare the grassroot levels,” he said.
On Friday, Sreejesh was named the Team Director of the Delhi franchise, which is owned by the SG Sports and Entertainment (SGSE). The franchise will be named as Delhi SG Pipers in the restructured HIL. It was former Indian tennis player and 12-time Grand Slam winner Mahesh Bhupathi’s efforts for roping in Sreejesh for the unprecedented administrator’s role. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
