P R Sreejesh: The legend who made the land of Football fall in love with Hockey

When PR Sreejesh announced his retirement after clinching another Olympic bronze in Paris, Kerala found itself at a crossroads of emotions.

Known for its deep love of football, the state had unexpectedly embraced hockey, thanks to the exceptional career of a boy from Kizhakkambalam who grew to be one of the best goalkeepers India has ever produced.

The Sreejesh effect

C.T. Soji, Secretary General of the Kerala Hockey Association, reflected on the monumental impact Sreejesh had on the sport in a state traditionally dominated by football.

“Sreejesh always backs us in everything,” Soji said to The Bridge in an exclusive interview.

“Kerala hockey is on the rise in the last 4-5 years. A lot of kids started taking up hockey after the bronze medal in Tokyo. Sreejesh is one of the best in India, if not the best. During the 2023-24 period, following the Tokyo event, over 4,000 hockey kits were distributed to children. Now we have children in every district who play hockey," he added.

Sreejesh had an exceptional impact on the kids of Kerala with his Tokyo Olympics triumph.

"With more kids, we’re able to compete in the South Zone and beyond. We even have a goalkeeper in the junior national team, Abhishek. In the past, kids just joined for the certificates, but post-Sreejesh, people are taking up hockey for passion. There’s been a huge shift in mentality. It’s good to see," he said.

, " It's hard not to get inspired after seeing the long and consistent career of Sreejesh. Playing over 250 games in national team colors is no easy feat. It takes a lot of consistent hard work to stay on top of the game for these many years," he said.

This shift in mentality that Soji speaks of is evident across Kerala, where people who once only discussed football at tea stalls and in living rooms are now talking about hockey, a sport previously seen as secondary.

Hockey, a newfound love for Kerala?

Vishnu, a teacher from Kochi, echoed this sentiment, noting the change in his students.

“I’ve been a football fan all my life, but Sreejesh’s journey made me pay attention to hockey. When he made those crucial saves in the Tokyo Olympics, I remember the entire neighborhood talking about hockey for the first time. His success made us realize that hockey, too, has a place in our hearts. My students now talk about becoming goalkeepers like Sreejesh, which was unheard of before,” he said.

For many in Kerala, the introduction to hockey was more than just watching Sreejesh’s incredible performances on television; it was a personal connection to a sport they never considered before.

Sangeetha, a homemaker from Aluva, shared how her household, once dominated by football discussions, had shifted.

“Football has always been the go-to sport in our family, but Sreejesh changed that. Sreejesh has shown that someone from our small villages can achieve great things in sports other than football and cricket. His retirement feels like losing a family member, but his legacy will live on,” she said.

This growing interest in hockey, especially among the youth, is perhaps one of Sreejesh’s most lasting contributions to Kerala’s sports culture.

“Sreejesh is a hero for many of us young people in Kerala,” said Adithyan, a college student from Kottayam.“We used to follow cricket and football, but after watching Sreejesh in the Olympics, hockey suddenly became cool. His journey has inspired a lot of us to try something different, and I think his impact on Kerala’s sports culture will be long-lasting.”

In a state where football reigns supreme, Sreejesh’s influence has been profound.

Even in places like Malappuram, where football is akin to religion, the impact of his achievements can be felt.

“I’ve been a football fan my whole life, like most people here. But Sreejesh made me watch hockey for the first time. The way he played for India made us all proud. We started discussing hockey at the tea shops, something I never imagined would happen in Kerala. Sreejesh put our state on the map in a new way, and for that, we’ll always be grateful,” Bijith, an A/C mechanic from the area, shared his views.

As Kerala bids farewell to its hockey hero, the effects of his career will continue to resonate.

PR Sreejesh not only elevated Indian hockey on the international stage but also managed to bring a football-crazy state into the fold, creating a new generation of hockey enthusiasts.

His retirement marks the end of an era, but the seeds he planted in Kerala’s sporting culture will continue to grow, nurturing the dreams of young players who now believe that they, too, can excel in hockey.