At age 33, PR Sreejesh has shorter goals for long-term glory!

PR Sreejesh. Pic/Getty Images

Goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has been an inseparable part of Indian hockey for nearly two decades, 17 years to be precise. And given the rigours of modern hockey, age always wins the battle against fitness and agility. Sreejesh, 33, who recently won the World Games Athlete of the Year award for his 2021 performances, has read this situation as clearly as he reads an onrushing attacker attempting to breach his goal.

‘Age is not a barrier'

"For a hockey goalkeeper like me, age is not a barrier. It's all about how passionate and hardworking you are and, more importantly, how good your current performance is. So, I'm just focusing on my present performance and as long as I'm good enough, I'll keep playing," Sreejesh said in response to a question by mid-day during a virtual media interaction on Wednesday.

Team India have a busy season ahead with a series of FIH Pro League engagements (between February and April) followed by the Commonwealth Games (July 28 to August 8 in Birmingham, England), the Asian Games (September 10-25 in Hangzhou, China) and the FIH World Cup (January 13 to 29, 2023 in Odisha) - all this in the build-up to the 2024 Paris Olympics. And Sreejesh, who was part of mid-day's Meet Your Icon series last year, insists he's keeping things short and simple.

"I'm not keeping any long-term target. I would like to keep shorter targets, so the Asian Games is my next target, as it offers a direct berth to the 2024 Olympics. Then, the World Cup will be my next target and since the Olympics is just a year after, that is also an option as my next target. Given my age, it's important to keep short targets and give my 100 percent during these short durations. Only if I can keep performing, can I think about Paris," explained Sreejeesh. His playing days may be far from over, but the hardworking custodian admitted that coaching the Indian team is among his goals post retirement.

No retirement thoughts yet

"I haven't thought about it [retirement], a sportsperson can be greedy. Having won a historic Olympic bronze, we can better it with a silver or gold in Paris. But I'd love to be a coach, that is my passion, so I'm sure you will see me in that [coach's] jersey too someday," he signed off.

‘Add a camera behind goal to assist video umpires'

While the augment of technology in sport has been a boon, its occasional failure can be a bane. India hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh felt that the video referral system in hockey needs improvement.

Often, cameras fail to catch fast-paced goalmouth action and the video umpire is forced to come up with "No advice possible," Sreejesh suggested adding another camera specifically for goalmouth action.

"I feel for the video umpire's benefit, they should keep one camera behind the goalpost that focuses only on action inside the striking circle. That will help in better decision-making and ensure no injustice is done on the field," said the veteran custodian.