Rohan Chowdhury in Paris
PR Sreejesh is more than just a name in Indian hockey. He’s an emotion, a symbol of perseverance, and a hero. Known affectionately as “Sree Anna” by his fans in Kerala, Sreejesh was the indomitable guardian of the Indian goalpost for years. His contributions were nothing short of legendary, especially when he played a crucial role in helping the men’s hockey team clinch a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics. That it was the second bronze medal in successive Games, made it special.
Sree Anna’s journey has been an inspiration to many, and as he officially announced his retirement from international hockey, the nation, particularly his home state of Kerala, is gearing up to honour their beloved icon. As he returns home, fans are preparing to celebrate the achievements of their very own Sree Anna, a role model, whose impact goes far beyond the field of play.
In other sporting news:
The IOA statement, decrying the abuse of Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala, should focus attention on the role played by the support staff of athletes like Vinesh Phogat and Antim Panghal@BoriaMajumdar writes#BlueRev #Paris2024 #Olympics #Wrestling #VineshPhogathttps://t.co/vJNhJmIzeq
— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) August 12, 2024
In a special tribute to Sreejesh’s remarkable career, the Manorama newspaper has devised a unique way to celebrate his legacy — by engaging the youth in a meaningful and memorable way. They have organised a state-wide contest for school students across Kerala, aiming to distribute around 10,000 pens, each engraved with Sreejesh’s autograph. These pens will serve not just as a token of remembrance, but as a source of inspiration for the young generation.
Mr. Jose, a representative of the newspaper, who, after seeing this writer collect autographs from athletes across various venues, reached out with an urgent request. He needed a picture of Sreejesh’s autograph, as his team back in Kerala was racing against time to print these special memorabilia pens. The pens are to be awarded as prizes for the winners of the contest — a learning-by-doing activity featured in the daily columns of the newspaper.
The contest is designed to be both educational and engaging. For instance, it may include a seven-part puzzle featured in each day’s edition of the paper over a week, or a sports quiz that challenges a students’ knowledge. The aim is not just to honour Sreejesh, but to foster a culture of sportsmanship and learning among young students, using the legacy of a sporting icon to inspire the next generation.
As the nation continues to build a robust sports culture, initiatives like these serve as stepping stones. They celebrate our heroes, like Sreejesh, while also nurturing the dreams and aspirations of tomorrow’s champions. The legacy of Sree Anna will undoubtedly continue to inspire, motivate and uplift, long after he hangs up his pads, as he prepares to take charge of the junior national team’s head coach.
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