Goalkeeping is a thankless job, says Indian Olympics star Sreejesh – News

‘It’s the arduous work, dedication and sacrifices of the previous 10 years that has helped the staff win a bronze medal’

With six seconds left on the clock, goalkeeper PR Sreejesh pulled off a beautiful save towards Germany to finish India’s 41-12 months look forward to a hockey medal within the Olympics. Since the 5-4 bronze medal match outcome on the Tokyo Olympics, the Keralite’s telephone has been buzzing with a whole bunch of congratulatory messages.

While relishing the plaudits, telephone calls and money prizes, Sreejesh wonders what if his reflexes weren’t sharp sufficient and Germany had scored within the dying minutes?

“As a sportsperson, you all the time aspire to symbolize India on the Olympics. When I began taking part in, there was the distinguished document of eight Olympic golds. I participated previously 3 Olympics carrying that legacy of our previous greats. It’s the arduous work, dedication and sacrifices of the previous 10 years that has helped the staff win a bronze medal,” stated Sreejesh throughout a felicitation ceremony held in Kerala.

UAE-primarily based VPS Healthcare’s chairman and managing director Dr Shamsheer Vayalil provided Rs10 million to Sreejesh. The cheque was introduced by Manuel Frederick, former hockey goalkeeper and first Keralite to win an Olympic medal, a bronze in 1972.

“Goalkeeping is an vital place in hockey however a thankless job too. If a match is gained 1-nil, individuals can be curious to know who scored the purpose. No one asks what number of makes an attempt have been saved by a goalkeeper. Similarly, if we lose 1-0 then all eyes will likely be on the keeper who failed his staff. Goalkeepers are destined solely to listen to blames,” stated Sreejesh.

Recollecting the final-gasp penalty nook by the Germans, the 33-12 months-previous ‘Great Wall of India’, stated: “Everyone is now speaking about these six seconds. Many individuals inform me they held their breath in these last moments. Yes, I may pull off the save however what if I hadn’t they usually had scored. Everyone would have stated that regardless of the staff taking part in brilliantly we misplaced due to Sreejesh being previous or the staff missing a younger keeper.”

On a lighter notice, Sreejesh revealed that when VPS Healthcare company communications and CSR head Dr Rajeev Mangottil knowledgeable him concerning the money prize, he thought it was a prank name.

“After the match, I acquired some 1,500 WhatsApp messages and 500 missed calls. Amid these, when Dr Rajeev referred to as, I believed it was a prank, possibly by some journalists to verify my response as Kerala authorities hadn’t introduced any prize then whereas different states had. But then he linked me to Dr Shamsheer, who stated the prize was a small reward from one brother to a different. For him it might have been a small reward however for me, it was the largest reward anybody was giving me.”

Frederick famous that the act by the UAE entrepreneur will encourage future stars.

“It is heartening to see that individuals like Dr Shamsheer are coming ahead to recognise sportspersons.”

Dr Shamsheer hoped such gestures of appreciation will appeal to the youth to sports activities.

“We should keep in mind those that laid the muse for this nice achievement, which can encourage the generations to return.”


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