Hockey India Retires PR Sreejesh's Jersey Number 16 in Tribute

Hockey India has retired the Number 16 jersey of goalkeeper PR Sreejesh at the senior level, following his retirement after securing a second consecutive Olympic bronze for India. Sreejesh will now serve as the junior national coach. The team celebrated by wearing identical jerseys with his name.

Hockey India announced on Wednesday that it will retire the iconic Number 16 jersey worn by goalkeeping legend P R Sreejesh at the senior level. The move follows Sreejesh's retirement from international hockey after playing a pivotal role in India's Olympic bronze medal victories.

Sreejesh, who competed for nearly two decades, will transition to a new role as the junior national team coach. Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh confirmed that while the Number 16 jersey will not be used by senior players, it will remain in circulation at the junior level.

The tribute included a ceremony where team members wore red jerseys emblazoned with Sreejesh's name. The event was marked by emotional speeches from fellow players and officials who lauded Sreejesh's monumental contributions to Indian hockey, earning him the title 'God of Modern Indian Hockey'.

(With inputs from agencies.)