Kochi: Indian hockey player PR Sreejesh was given a grand welcome upon his arrival at the Kochi airport on Friday.
Sreejesh, who bid adieu to the national team with a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, said he will spend the next 2-3 months to prepare himself mentally to take over as the coach of the Indian junior team.
Regarding the rousing welcome accorded to him, including a road show from the airport to Palarivattom, he said it was like the “cherry on 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 joy, the reception organised by everyone, is like the cherry on the cake. The happiness gets doubled,” the goalkeeping legend added.
Regarding the next step in his career, Sreejesh said that he knows what he wants to do as a player.
He said, “But I have to be mentally prepared for what I should do as a coach or what I should do to become a coach from a player. So I will spend the next 2-3 months on this.”
A large crowd, including several MLAs, welcomed Sreejesh at the airport.
As he came out of the airport, people carrying placards with his photo cheered him.
Along the route of his road show, people waved and cheered him, some gave him flowers and bouquets and others came near his vehicle to shake hands and congratulate him.
(With inputs from PTI)