“It’s a rebirth, that’s it,” said India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh after emerging as one of the stars of the men’s hockey team won a historic O...
“It’s a rebirth, that’s it,” said India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh after emerging as one of the stars of the men’s hockey team won a historic Olympic bronze medal in Tokyo, confident that the feat will help produce a new generation of capable players.
The team rewrote history as it claimed an Olympic medal after 41 years, defeating Germany 5-4 to win the bronze in an edge-of-the-seat play-off match in Tokyo.
“It’s been 41 years. In the 1980s we won the last medal and after that, nothing. Today when we won it, this gives a boost and gives energy to the youngsters to pick up hockey, play this game,” the 35-year-old Sreejesh said after the match.
“This is a beautiful game. Now we are giving a reason for them to pick up hockey, play the game.”
Sreejesh climbed up the goal post to celebrate even as his teammates cried and hugged each other in elation.
For the former captain, it was now or never as he wanted to have an Olympic medal after 21 years of hard work in the national jersey.
“I was prepared for everything today because this 60 minutes is like anything. I’m playing hockey for the last 21 years and I just said to myself one thing: ‘Take the...
