New Delhi, Aug 14: Hockey India has announced the retirement of the No. 16 jersey worn by legendary goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh. This decision follows Sreejeshโ€™s retirement after playing a pivotal role in securing Indiaโ€™s second consecutive Olympic bronze at the recently concluded Paris Games. During a ceremony held in his honour, Hockey Indiaโ€™s Secretary General, Bhola Nath Singh announced the retirement of Sreejeshโ€™s jersey.ย PR Sreejesh Shares Picture of Carrying Indian Flag With Manu Bhaker at Paris Olympics 2024 Closing Ceremony, Writes โ€˜A Great Way To Sign-Offโ€™.

Formal Declaration From Hockey India

The 36-year-old Sreejesh has been appointed as the coach for the junior national team, where he will take on the responsibility of nurturing the next generation of Indian goalkeepers. โ€œThe No. 16 jersey will remain in the junior team, and Sreejesh will groom the next Sreejesh who will wear that jersey,โ€ Singh told reporters.ย Latest FIH Rankings: India Moves to Fifth Place Following Bronze Medal Victory in Paris Olympics 2024, Gold Medallist Netherlands Claim Top Spot.

The Paris 2024 Olympics saw the Indian team play scintillating hockey at times; performances that saw them defeat Australia by 3-2, for the first member of the team against Great Britain, where they defended with a man down for over 40 minutes to force penalty shootouts and win by 4-2, courtesy of heroics from Sreejesh. Hockey India has organised a felicitation ceremony to honour Sreejesh on Wednesday.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 14, 2024 02:49 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).