Sreejesh reveals meeting Vinesh Phogat after medal row: Hid pain beneath smile

Hockey India announced on Wednesday that they would retire the jersey number of legendary goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh, following his retirement after playing a crucial role in securing India's second consecutive Olympic bronze at the recently concluded Paris Games. The No. 16 jersey, which Sreejesh proudly wore for nearly two decades, will be retired for the senior national team.

Hockey India’s Secretary General, Bhola Nath Singh, also revealed that the 36-year-old Sreejesh would be the junior national coach. However, the No. 16 jersey will still be available for junior players. "Sreejesh will groom the next Sreejesh in the junior team, who will wear the No. 16 jersey," Singh remarked during a ceremony honoring the veteran goalkeeper.

Sreejesh, a long-time hero for India, has set an eight-year timeline for himself before considering a role as the national team coach. He also expressed his ambition to lead India as a coach in the 2036 Olympics. "I want to become a coach. That was always my plan but now there is a question of when. After retirement, family comes first. I need to talk with them if they are OK with this. Now you have to listen to your wife a little bit," Sreejesh told PTI.