Tokyo Olympics preparations began three years ago, says PR Sreejesh

The veteran hockey goalkeeper discussed on varied topics in a live interaction with Aditi Chauhan.

The Instagram page of Indian Football conducted a live session with Tokyo Olympics-bound Indian hockey team goalkeeper PR Sreejesh . It was hosted by Indian women's goalkeeper Aditi Chauhan.

During the live session, the goalkeepers talked extensively regarding the preparation for the Tokyo Olympics.

At the start, the host Aditi wished the hockey team and all the Indian contingent going for the Olympics with the luck from all Indian football fraternity.

Here are the excerpts from the conversation.

Preparations for Tokyo

PR Sreejesh said they had begun the preparation three years back since the Hockey World Cup in Orissa. "Fortunately or unfortunately, we got a year extra to prepare things differently," said the goalkeeper.

PR Sreejesh also talked about how COVID-19 has changed their planning and training process for the Olympics. "Earlier we used to travel a lot for matches and practice but now we are in Bengaluru for more than a year. Now we have the time to analyse opponents’ games and their strategies," said the senior pro.

Environment at the Tokyo Olympics village

"It is like paradise," PR Sreejesh answered when Aditi Chauhan asked him about the atmosphere in an Olympic village.

"All the Indian contingent stays together and we share the same dining room, gyms with all the international stars. For the first-timer, it’s always exciting. You get to see your role models walking side by you- feels like a dream come true," added the veteran.

" All the players from across the globe interact with each other well. But the professional players or legends are very much focused on their game they don’t meet or interact much with other players. But this time it’s gonna be different due to COVID-19 and its precautions," opined PR Sreejesh.

Best Olympics Memory

"My best memory would be wearing the national jersey and entering the ground for the first time at the Olympics 2012," said PR Sreejesh. "Especially at the time during the national anthem, it’s all goosebumps and we are pumped up I also like the opening ceremony very much but last time we missed it because the next day we had a match," said the goalkeeper.

Role as a senior player

"Being a senior player is a big responsibility because youngsters look up to you. You are their teachers, they learn everything from you small or big. So every time you need to lead by example to keep them motivated in every situation," said PR Sreejesh.

The veteran also said that he personally advises the young players to not just be satisfied by donning the Indian jersey. "You need to show why are you here. You are representing millions so you should always aim to win laurels for them," Sreejesh added.

Opinion on the women's team

"They are in the same training centre as us and this time their side is looking very strong," PR Sreejesh opined. "They have at least nine players who have the experience of Olympic earlier and some youngsters who are very much confident and excited to perform," concluded the veteran.

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