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P R Sreejesh sure of medal in 2020 Olympics

A core group of 20 players is being formed and trained with an aim at the Tokyo Olympics.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Indian hockey team captain P.R. Sreejesh who led the Indian hockey team that recently clinched the Asian Champions Trophy defeating arch-rival Pakistan, said that preparations for the Tokyo Olympics were already on. “A core group of 20 players is being formed and trained with an aim at the Tokyo Olympics. In the current form we are sure to clinch a medal. But conditions may change. Even new good players may join the squad,” he said at a meet-the-press event at the Thiruvananthapuram Press Club on Wednesday.

“In the current form, the Indian Hockey Team is sure to clinch a medal in the 2020 Olympics. Though we wish to clinch gold, I would only say that we aim for a medal,” he said. Replying to queries regarding the delay in granting the assured government jobs to sportspersons, Sreejesh said that government jobs need to be considered as a right of a sportsperson representing the nation.

“I would prefer that a quota system be introduced for athletes. Such incentives will attract many. Representing the nation involves years of hard work and hence it needs to be duly rewarded,” said Sreejesh, who is working in the state education department. The goalkeeper captain also said that his dream was to set up a hockey academy in the state. “A hockey academy will need infrastructure including ground and funds. I wish I could achieve my dream,” he said adding that the state required a good hockey association that could groom aspiring players.

Regarding his goalkeeping skills, Sreejesh said he would initially analyse the player taking the shot and then react. “After the whistle for penalty blows, even I don’t know what I do,” he said.

( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
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