'We'll Miss You, Macha' - Hockey World Salutes PR Sreejesh's Glorious Career

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When India secured the bronze medal in hockey at the Paris Olympics, the team erupted in joyous celebrations. However, PR Sreejesh, in a moment of reflection, quietly walked to one end of the field and bowed before the goalpost -- a place he has guarded for nearly two decades.

While he may miss that familiar ground, it is India that will feel his absence even more. The veteran goalkeeper, who played his final international match against Spain in Paris, leaves behind a remarkable legacy.

Manpreet Singh, the Indian men's hockey team midfielder and former captain, reflected on Sreejesh's influence, saying, "I don't have many words for 'Macha.' He's just like my elder brother; he always guided me. Even if I made a mistake on the field, he would guide me from behind. He has always motivated me. I always told Sreejesh to keep talking to me from behind, no matter what, as it gives me confidence.

"Our journey started in the 2011 Asian Champions Trophy, and after that, we both went to the Olympics. We didn't perform well in that Olympics, but we made a comeback afterward. In the 2014 Asian Games, we had a final match against Pakistan, and Sreejesh told us to bring the match to a shootout, and he would handle the rest. Sreejesh performed well, and we won gold. There have been many matches where Sreejesh has been a lifesaver for us."

Sreejesh made his debut for the junior National team in 2004 and for the senior team in 2006 as a teenager at the South Asian Games in Colombo. He was part of the 2008 junior Asia Cup-winning team and was awarded the 'Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament'.

Since then, he has featured in almost all major tournaments: Four Olympic Games (2012, 2016, 2020 and 2024), four World Cups (2010, 2014, 2018 and 2023), three Asian Games (2014, 2018 and 2022) and three Commonwealth Games (2014, 2018 and 2022).

He has been part of several memorable moments for India, including the bronze medal in Jakarta-Palembang, the joint-winning team of the Asian Champions Trophy in 2018, the gold medal-winning team of the 2019 FIH men's series finals in Bhubaneswar, the silver medal-winning team at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, and many more. Sreejesh now will take up the role of the junior national coach.

Indian men's hockey team head coach Craig Fulton praised the goalkeeper's tenacity and skill, stating, "PR Sreejesh is a gifted hockey player. He has the talent and has shown it. He worked hard to prove himself; you can't stay on top of goalkeeping if you can't improve. Goalkeeping is a tough job; if you make one mistake, you're 1-0 down. We really love Sreejesh; he was immense for us."

At the 2016 Rio Olympics, Sreejesh led the Indian hockey team to the quarterfinals and played an instrumental role in India's subsequent Olympic campaigns, where India won bronze at both Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024.

Former Indian hockey team skipper Sardara Singh reminisced about their days of struggle and perseverance. "When I used to play with Sreejesh, we were World No. 17, and Sreejesh said that we must become World No. 1. Sreejesh faced many problems in his life, but he never gave up. I remember Sreejesh used to tell us, 'Take the match to a shootout, and I'll win it on my own.' Sreejesh has set an example for our youngsters," he said.

Hockey India announced that they will retire jersey No. 16 in honour of legendary goalkeeper PR Sreejesh. Sumit, a defender in the Indian team, expressed his pride and loss, saying, "This is a very proud moment for Sree Bhai, for the entire country, and for us as well. It feels really good to see a legendary player being given such a farewell. We will miss Sree Bhai, his speeches in the dressing room, practising together on the field, and his guidance during matches. As a defender, I will miss this a lot."

Forward Abhishek shared a personal touch, recalling, "Sreejesh bhai is a legend, and there's no doubt about that. We will miss him a lot, both on and off the field. He used to motivate us, and we will all miss that. When we practised shooting, and Sreejesh bhai used to tell me, 'Even my child can save this goal,' I will really miss all those comments."

PR Sreejesh's departure from the international stage marks the end of a golden chapter in Indian hockey. His leadership, courage, and indomitable spirit have not only inspired his teammates but have also left an indelible mark on the sport. As the nation bids farewell to one of its greatest athletes, it is clear that the goalposts he once guarded will forever bear the legacy of a true hockey legend.