Two-Time Olympic Medallist PR Sreejesh to be Head Coach of Indian Junior Hockey Team After Retirement?

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Two-time Olympic medallist PR Sreejesh set for coaching role as Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh announced that the goalkeeping great will become the Junior India Hockey team's head coach post retirement.

Sreejesh had announced that Paris Olympics 2024 would be his last, and the Indian custodian signed off in style, helping the team to second successive bronze medal in the Olympics.

After missing out on upgrading the colour from Tokyo 2020, a brace from skipper Harmanpreet Singh and Sreejesh's effortless saves secured a bronze medal for India at the Paris Olympics with a 2-1 win over Spain at the Yves du Manoir Stadium.

Notably, India won consecutive bronze hockey medals for the first time in 52 years since the 1972 Munich Games. This was also Sreejesh's last appearance for the Indian hockey team as a player. The goalkeeper is now likely to oversee the rising talents in the country.

Bhola Nath Singh said that Hockey India will discuss this with the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Government of India regarding the appointment of PR Sreejesh as the Junior India Hockey team's head coach.

"Goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has played his last match today, but today I want to announce that Sreejesh will be the head coach of the Junior India Hockey team...We will discuss this with the SAI and the Government of India...," Bhola Nath said while speaking to ANI.

Following India's victory over Spain, Sreejesh took to social media to post, "Together with my brothers, we fought, we bled, we conquered. For India! Forever grateful."

Earlier in the day, the legendary goalkeeper had thanked India for believing in him and standing by him for so many years, saying this is not the not the end, but the begining of cherished memories.

"As I stand between the posts for the final time, my heart swells with gratitude and pride. This journey, from a young boy with a dream to the man defending India's honour, has been nothing short of extraordinary," Sreejesh posted on X.

"Today, I play my last match for India. Every save, every dive, every roar of the crowd will forever echo in my soul. Thank you, India, for believing in me, for standing by me. This is not the end, but the beginning of cherished memories. Forever a custodian of dreams. Jai Hind."