How To Stay Motivated When Going Through A Bad Phase? Manu Bhaker Asks PR Sreejesh In A Live Event

PR Sreejesh, the retired Indian hockey legend, recently shared valuable advice for young athletes. He urged them to persevere and trust their process during tough times in their careers. Sreejesh, who ended his illustrious 18-year career after India's second consecutive bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, spoke at a Hockey India event held in his honour.

Advice from a Veteran

During the event, fellow athlete Manu Bhaker asked Sreejesh how to handle career lows. Sreejesh's response was candid and insightful. "This too shall pass. (Ye time nikal jayega). Our coach taught us the term 'water on deck'. The amount of water that is on the deck, it goes away. Same way, you lose, you win, you celebrate after victory or feel sad after defeat, you have to forget it and move forward then and there," he said.

Sreejesh emphasised the importance of learning from both victories and defeats. He added, "What is next, what should I do next. What can I learn from my victories and defeats. This is the only thing that will push you forward. We as players are straightforward. You have to keep a target and work for that. Never give up and trust your process."

Honouring a Legacy

Earlier in the day, Hockey India announced the retirement of Sreejesh's jersey number. Bhola Nath Singh, the federation's secretary general, revealed that Sreejesh would now take on the role of junior national coach. "Sreejesh is now going to be the junior team coach and we are retiring the No. 16 jersey for the senior team. We are not retiring No. 16 for the junior team," Singh stated.

Singh further added, "Sreejesh dusra Sreejesh ko paida karega in junior team (Sreejesh will groom someone like him in the junior team who will wear the No.16 jersey)." This gesture highlights Sreejesh's significant impact on Indian hockey and his continued contribution to nurturing future talent.

Sreejesh's journey has been inspiring for many young athletes across India. His message of resilience and continuous self-improvement resonates with those striving to excel in sports.

Sreejesh and Manu Bhaker also had the honour of being India's flag-bearers at the closing ceremony of the Olympics, marking another proud moment in their careers.

The advice shared by Sreejesh serves as a guiding light for aspiring athletes facing challenges in their respective fields.