CHENNAI: Indian hockey legend PR Sreejesh has little question in her thoughts that the void he left after his retirement will ultimately be stuffed although he has set a excessive benchmark for the youthful goalkeepers to emulate.
The 36-year-old Sreejesh retired following his remaining outing in the course of the Paris Olympics in August, because the nationwide staff completed with a bronze medal underneath the steering of head coach Craig Fulton.
Whereas his retirement has introduced an enormous void in Indian hockey’s goalkeeping division, Sreejesh is assured that there’ll ultimately be somebody to fill it up.
“There might be somebody who will fill my footwear, for certain. After Sachin (Tendulkar), all of us felt that, okay, there could be a niche. However Virat Kohli got here, and he stuffed it. So, it goes the identical approach,” Sreejesh advised reporters on the sidelines of the ‘Highway to Brisbane 2032’ occasion right here on Saturday.
“I stored the benchmark on a excessive observe in order that these guys may work onerous to get there and to carry out higher than that. So, I at all times consider these youngsters are ok to carry out higher than me.”
Following his retirement, Sreejesh took up head coach’s duties of the nationwide U-21 staff, having beforehand admitted that he’s additionally desirous to turn into the coach of the senior nationwide staff sooner or later in time.
Requested in regards to the teaching employees he plans to have within the nationwide U-21 set-up, Sreejesh revealed, “I requested Hockey India for Birendra Lakra and SV Sunil. Those that are distinctive nice hockey gamers and play in several positions.
“And, with the three of us, with me being a goalkeeper, it’s fairly straightforward to arrange the staff. However for now, the staff has two coaches.”
Sreejesh was additionally requested in regards to the debate on having Indian or abroad coach for the nationwide staff.
“I at all times consider that there are plenty of positives when a international coach is available in. They bring about in plenty of expertise and new research, which at all times advantages us in another approach,” he reckoned.
“Not simply the gamers, I additionally need them to coach our coaches in order that they be taught from them and use these inputs to develop our gamers.”
On his fast goal as coach, Sreejesh maintained that it will be vital to begin by successful the Junior World Cup subsequent yr, set to be held in India.
“The 2025 Junior World Cup is the primary goal for this group, however finally, these youngsters are making ready for LA (Los Angeles) or 2032 Olympic Video games (in Brisbane). I need to guarantee that these guys’ bases are stronger in order that they construct from there and can attain the highest stage.”
“HIL is a platform the place kids can carry out and showcase expertise”
With the Hockey India League set to be revived later this yr, Sreejesh known as it the proper platform for children to get publicity to worldwide requirements.
“HIL is a good platform. Whenever you look into it, it is a platform the place the children can come up, carry out and showcase their expertise, and that is the simplest shortcut to get into the Nationwide League,” he said.
“As a result of there are hidden abilities who by no means obtained a possibility, (and) now, they’re getting it in a worldwide platform the place they arrive. Additionally, it is not directly serving to the gamers to mature since you are taking part in together with one of the best gamers.
“You might be studying from them the management high quality, the initiative, and what they soak up a staff surroundings. And over to that, you’re accommodating the strain.”
Sreejesh had clarified earlier that he will not be competing within the HIL however will as an alternative take up the function of Director of Hockey with the Delhi franchise.
Explaining his function, he maintained that he would primarily act as a mentor to the staff members.
“I might be a mentor for the staff members. I might be with them and be an assistant coach for my teaching employees. And I’ll act like a bridge between the company and the staff, that is it.
“So, my job is simply to coordinate all the pieces. However yeah, I act like an envoy there,” he signed off.
