Cap no: 301 and counting. PR Sreejesh is a legend of Indian sport and is not done yet. Be it fitness or passion, he is still right up there with the very best in the world and looking forward to the Asian Games and, subsequently, the Paris Olympics. In this conversation with Boria Majumdar, Sreejesh outlined his plans going forward.
Excerpts from the conversation:
Boria: 301 and counting. It is quite unbelievable when we think of it. How do you look back at this incredible journey? The best part is there is a lot more to come.
Sreejesh: Thanks for saying this. When I started, I did not even think of 50 games, leave alone 300. You don’t think you can play 100 games for your country, and then when it starts to happen, you just go with the flow and keep working harder and harder. You want to keep pace and as my last coach said, keep improving. That’s what we need to do as elite athletes. You can never feel satisfied for then it is the end of the road. Every single day is an opportunity to improve. To get better by an iota. That’s what I have tried to do, and will keep doing as long as I play.
Boria: The one image that is etched in memory each time I speak to you is that of you sitting on top of the goalpost in Tokyo after winning the medal, and looking down as if you are looking down at your home of 20 years. At that point, I did not think you will still be around for Paris. But here you are. And I am glad you are. Did you think then you could play another Olympics?
Sreejesh: Honestly, no. A lot of people had asked me what is next for you, Sree? All I said was I did not really know. When you grow older and get more and more experienced, it is always about the next tournament. I don’t think long term. All I do is push myself for the next match or the next tournament. I need to take small steps and if that helps me play on, I am happy. I have the passion for the sport and love turning up for India, and take it one step at a time. So my next goal is the Asian Games and I will do everything to keep improving and doing my best because it is a very important tournament for us, and will help us qualify directly for Paris 2024.
Boria: That was my next question. It is a very important month coming up with the Asian Games, and qualification as the most important goal.
Sreejesh: Yes, absolutely, but we can’t keep thinking of winning the gold medal and the qualification. If we do that, we will end up putting way too much pressure on ourselves and that is never healthy. We need to go out there and enjoy the process, and in doing so the results will come. Every Asian team wants to hunt us down because we are the best team at the moment. So we have set a benchmark for ourselves, and now it is on us to stay at the top. That’s what we will aim to do without putting pressure on ourselves.
Boria: A word on the new coach, Craig Fulton. I had a chat with him before the Asian Champions Trophy and he seemed very clear with his plans.
Sreejesh: He wants us to try out new things, push us out of our comfort zone. That’s why he said what he did after we won the semi-final comfortably against Japan 5-0 in the Asian Champions Trophy – he said we need to prepare for a situation when were two goals down. He wanted us to be ready. And he was right. In the final, we were down 1-3. And that’s when his words helped. We were prepared and the fight is evidence. This is what you need from a coach, and I am sure we will do some good things together as a team. He has serious pedigree and we are all looking forward to working the hardest as a unit going forward.
Boria: India is now ranked No. 3 in the world, and that came as a piece of good news for every fan. How do you look at rankings? Do they really matter or it is more for the fans and the federation?
Sreejesh: Yes, it is more for the fans and federation and everyone else associated with the sport. While it feels good to make it to No. 3, what really matters to us as players is what we do on the pitch. How we perform in the middle is what will decide games. Let me also say that the difference between the top six teams is actually miniscule. Each of these teams are capable of beating the other on a given day, and there is no real difference between them. So it is all about what you do in the middle on a given match day.
Boria: Finally, you have told me that you are looking forward to the Asian Games. You have also mentioned that you are now taking it one tournament at a time. Tell me hand on heart, you will be there for Paris 2024, right?
Sreejesh: (Laughs). It is giving me goosebumps, trust me. I can tell you I will work the hardest on my fitness and keep myself ready. There is no question I have the passion and I just love playing for India. While selection is not in my hands and it will be decided by the coaches and the federation, yes, fingers crossed, Paris is the aim. I do want to be there at the Olympics, and do it one more time for India. I will work to it all going well.
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