P R Sreejesh is not satisfied with being the best sportsperson from Kerala. He is not ready to settle with two Olympic bronze medals. He wants to be welcomed home a hero, again.
So much was clear, just not in so many words, when the freshly retired hockey great spoke at a reception by the Kerala government for his latest Olympic success in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday.
"I cannot get another reception like this as a player. I wish I could get one by winning an Olympic medal as a coach," Sreejesh said. There was ambition in those words, not unfounded if you know the man.
Within weeks of the Paris Games that ended his glorious career as a goalkeeper, Sreejesh assumed charge as head coach of India's junior men's team. In his first assignment, Sreejesh secured a bronze medal at the Sultan of Johor Cup in Malaysia. So if he says he can get an Olympic medal as a coach, you better believe it.
Sreejesh was in his element at the reception, even though the well-deserved honour came two months too late because the Olympics ended mid-August. But Sreejesh showed no remorse, not at least as he addressed young athletes, including those from his alma mater, GV Raja Sports School.
"I joined GV Raja Sports School in 2000, 24 years ago. Until August, I was a sports star; now I'm retired. But now I'm the coach of the Indian junior team.
"I too started like most of you, sitting somewhere in a corner, cheering for sports stars when they were honoured. My shoes were worn out, not like those you're wearing now. I competed in events wearing torn jerseys and won medals.
"When I attended GV Raja Sports School, my aim was to secure 60 grace marks for the tenth and 12th standard. All I tell you kids is to dream. I could reach the Olympics by just dreaming about grace marks. If you start dreaming about the Olympics now, in ten years, you'll get there and win medals. If you work hard, you can turn this bronze (shows his Olympic medal) into gold," Sreejesh said.
