‘Sreejesh is a legend, an inspiration for the next generation,’ say teammates | Olympic Games News

Recently retired Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh is a legend in the sport and will inspire the next generation of hockey players in the country, his teammates said on Saturday after returning from the Paris Olympics with a second consecutive bronze medal.

Eight-time Olympic champions India claimed a bronze medal in Paris, beating Spain 2-1 in the play-off match. India’s last Olympic hockey gold medal came in 1980.

“Sreejesh is the best man, a legend, and India calls him the ‘Great Wall’, great, that’s all I can say. He played his best hockey and he contributed to the country through hockey. The standard he has set as a goalkeeper will inspire the next generation,” forward Lalit Upadhyay said at a felicitation ceremony.

“I want to thank the whole country for the overwhelming support you have given to hockey. Just like last time, but now even more. Hockey is still in people’s hearts. They still love the sport and continue to support it.”

Lalit also heaped praise on the inspirational captain Harmanpreet Singh, who scored 10 goals to become the tournament’s top scorer.

“He is a legend, there is still so much to do and our vision is that we move forward and can change the colour of the medal and realise our dream.”

Lalit recalled the team’s fighting spirit against Great Britain in the quarter-final, when they played with 10 men for more than 40 minutes but still won.

“Harmanpreet is the goal scoring machine of the team and we get a lot of help from him. He is the ‘Sarpanch’.”

Jarmanpreet was pleased with his own performance at his first Olympic Games.

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