Kochi: Indian hockey stalwart P R Sreejesh was given a grand welcome on his arrival at the Cochin airport here on Friday.
Sreejesh, who bid bye to the national team with a bronze at the Paris 2024 Olympics, said he will be spending the next 2-3 months to mentally prepare himself to take over as the coach of the Indian junior team.
With regard to the enthusiastic welcome given to him, including a roadshow from the airport to Palarivattom, he said it was like the "cherry on top of the cake".
"Working hard for the country, sacrificing a lot and then winning a medal, it is not just for me, but for the country. So, to be a part of this happiness, the welcome organised by everyone, is like the cherry on top of the cake. The pleasure is doubled," said the goalkeeping legend.
Regarding the next step of his career, Sreejesh said he knew what he had to do as a player.
"But, as a coach, what all I should do or the transition from a player to a coach, I have to mentally prepare for that. So, I will spend the next 2-3 months on that," he said.
A big crowd, including several MLAs, welcomed Sreejesh at the airport.
People holding up placards with his photo cheered him on as he came out of the airport.
Along the route of his roadshow, people waved and cheered him on, some handed him flowers and bouquets and others walked up to his vehicle to shake his hand and congratulate him.
(With inputs from PTI)
