S2H Team

Parattu Raveendran Sreejesh, like any excellent goalkeeper, reads the game well. The 33-year-old veteran of the Indian men’s team has extended that ability to decode the World Games Athlete of the Year 2021 Award as a triumph, above all, for the sport he loves.

“It’s a great honour for me but it also means a lot for global hockey. After all, we competed with other sports after the FIH nominated me to represent hockey. “It also means a lot for Indian hockey as now it shows that the sporting world recognises us,” Sreejesh said in an online media conference on Thursday.

“The award also indicates the love fans have for me and hockey they’ve shown it by voting for me,” he added.“It’s indeed a collective success for hockey.”

It was a back-to-back success for the sport at the award. Women’s iconic captain Rani Rampal won the accolade the previous year and Sreejesh emulated her on Monday after winning 1,27,647 votes to leave Spanish sports climber Alberto Gines with 67,428 at the second spot.

Triple Olympian PR Sreejesh

Sreejesh, who hails from Kerala, made his senior international debut in 2004. The pinnacle of his career must surely be the bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics which he sealed for the country with a delectable save seconds from the end to enable India beat Germany 5-4 in a pulsating match.

He maintains age is not a barrier for a hockey goalkeeper. “It all depends how he/she keeps sustains performance. As far as I am concerned, setting short targets helps.

“I am targeting a medal at the 2023 World Cup and, if possible, aim to play in the 2024 Paris Olympics where hopefully I can collect a medal of a different colour from bronze,” he said.

“I also don’t want to dream too big. It would bring on extra pressure. Most importantly, I want to enjoy playing the game. This is a must to keep going,” he said.

Winner of the highest sporting honour in the country, the Khel Ratna last year, Sreejesh clings on to a profound dream. “When I was a kid, I learned of the legendary Indian goalkeeper, the dashing Shankar Laxman. I know want to be remembered as one of India’s best-ever goalkeepers.”

Sreejesh has gained iconic status, especially when it comes to young goalkeepers who adore him. But that only means tweaking the nature of interaction that differs markedly from that with players who started off with him.

“I can be harsh on older players because it’s something we called upon among ourselves to up our performances. “I could shout and swear at them – often on their request – but I must be careful with far younger players who look upon me as a senior star. “I, therefore, am conscious of how I instruct them and calm myself down in the field, something my coaches ask of me too,” Sreejesh said.

Sreejesh stands six feet tall and appears even taller in goal. His saves have been spectacular and his agility stupendous. But he never forgets the trials and tribulations that the job entails.

Exciting, joyous individual

“I’ve had lean patches, conceded goals, and faced a lot of criticism and I think one shouldn’t forget one’s past. But wearing the blue jersey isn’t an opportunity open to everyone and it inspires me to play more and more.”

Sreejesh was rested for the Asian Champions Trophy in Dhaka in December 2021 where an experimental Indian side packed with youngsters finished third.

He said he enjoyed a break which has helped him spend considerable time with his family. But, for most of the six-month layoff after the Olympics, he has been involved with training in the core group and mentoring young players.

“I now am excited to get back to competition and am ready for a very hectic 2022 starting with the trip to South Africa where we play FIH Pro League matches against the hosts and France,” he said.

Sreejesh, also a member of the FIH Athletes Commission, wishes to see a concession or two for players of his ilk in the rules of the game that haven’t been too kind on goalkeepers.

“I would like goalkeepers to be given the luxury of playing the ball over our own goal-line – even deliberately – without conceding a penalty corner. “We often concede goals from rebounds or while playing the ball sideways. Clearing over the goal-line could be considered a skill and it would make life easier for goalkeepers if that draws a 23m re-start instead of a penalty corner,” Sreejesh opined.

Sreejesh has shown a penchant for fun. His antics and ever-smiling visage have charmed fans the world over. But the job on the pitch remains serious as ever. How does he blend the two?

Always a learner. With his specialist goalkeeping coach during the 2016 World Cup

“Smiling isn’t a difficult task,” he said. “It helps draw people to you. Playing for the country is a serious job but off the pitch and during the break, I like to entertain fans who want to see the other side of you.”

Sreejesh’s prowess in goal has long brought him the sobriquet “The Wall”, hockey’s version of the tag attached to cricket great Rahul Dravid who now coaches the Indian national squad.

Would the iconic goalkeeper play a similar role after he retires?

Sreejesh was coy in his response but expressed hope to coach once he hangs up his boots.

“But it all depends on the discussion with family before I decide to take up the role of a coach. But, I definitely like seeing me don that jersey as well,” he said with a glint in the eye.