P R Sreejesh’s goal is semis berth in Olympics

KOCHI: For the past one week, goalkeeper P R Sreejesh was living on a prayer. With goalkeeper Bharat Chettri almost certain to make it to the Olympic hockey squad as skipper, Sreejesh knew his only chance of sealing a berth in the Indian hockey team to London depended on selectors’ decision to pick two goalkeepers.

On Monday, his prayers were answered as the selectors included him as the second goalkeeper in the 16-member squad for London. And there’s one man Sreejesh thanks profusely for making his London trip possible – Indian team’s Aussie coach, Michael Nobbs. “The coach has reposed great belief in my abilities. He has helped me in realising my dream. Now it is time for me to repay the faith that he has showed in my abilities,” Sreejesh told TOI from his training camp in Pune.

Though some former players criticised the decision to include two goalkeepers, the 24-year-old lad from Kizhakkambalam near here sees merit in the move. “In hockey, the goalkeepers have a heavy workload. In a high profile tournament like Olympics, it is good to have two goalkeepers. Our coach has opted for a rotation policy for goalkeepers in the last few tours. I think he plans to continue with that policy in Olympics too. Moreover, if there is an injury to one goalkeeper, you have a ready backup on the bench,” added Sreejesh, sounding optimistic of his chances of making it to the playing XI. The Kochi lad thinks the team has gained immensely from its foreign tours. “In the last one year we have played against almost all big teams. We know their style of play. So it will be easy for us to plan and strategize. The exposure tours have made us fearless.”

However, he is realistic about India’s chances at London. “It is easy very easy to say that we will return with a medal. But you have to take into account the fact that we are up against the likes of Holland and Germany in our group. Our objective should be to qualify for the semis first,” said Sreejesh.

Sreejesh will not have time to come to Kochi and share his joy of Olympic selection with his parents. The training camp will continue in Pune and on June 24 the team will leave for a tour of France and Spain before heading to London.

However his parents, Raveendran and Usha Raveendran are not disappointed. “Ever since he grabbed a hockey stick, he always wanted to play in Olympics. I am glad his hard work and perseverance has paid off. I hope I can see him with an Olympic medal on his return from London,” said Raveendran.

Deserving the place

I am very happy for Sreejesh. I have watched him from a very small age. He has got a daredevil attitude towards the game and is unperturbed. His performance under the bar will be critical to India’s chances at London – Ramesh Kolappa, Sreejesh’s first coach

I have watched Sreejesh on television. To me he is better than skipper Bharat Chettri in goal. He has sharp reflexes and his charging down against opponents in penalty corner conversions is brilliant. My blessings are with him. I could only return with a bronze from Munich Olympics in 1972. I hope comes with a gold from London – Manuel Fredricks, Kerala’s first Olympian in hockey.