3 weeks ago
Sreejesh Urges India to Trust Training, Enjoy World Cup Moment
PR Sreejesh used to be the goalkeeper for India's hockey team.
He helped India win bronze medals at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Now he is giving advice to the players going to the FIH World Cup.
He says the World Cup can feel stressful because the whole world is watching.
Sreejesh told the players to stay calm, trust their training, and enjoy the moment.
He also said they should give their best on the pitch.
The tournament takes place in the Netherlands and Belgium from August 15 to 30.
India's men's team will play Wales, England, and Pakistan in its group.
Sreejesh believes India should aim to finish in the top four.
India has not won a World Cup medal since 1975, and fans hope this team can change that.
Former India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh urged the men's team to trust their training, stay calm, and not let World Cup pressure affect their game.
The FIH World Cup will be jointly hosted by Amstelveen, Netherlands, and Wavre, Belgium, from August 15 to 30.
India, led by captain Harmanpreet Singh, is in Pool D and opens against Wales on August 15, then faces England on August 17 and Pakistan on August 19.
Sreejesh called a top-four finish India's minimum aim, with silver, gold, or bronze as a bonus.
India won Olympic bronze at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 but last reached a World Cup podium in 1975, and finished eighth of nine in the FIH Pro League.
- Who
- PR Sreejesh, the 38-year-old former India hockey goalkeeper and captain, addressing the national men's team led by Harmanpreet Singh.
- What
- Sreejesh advised the players to trust their preparation, manage World Cup pressure, and enjoy the occasion, setting a top-four finish as India's minimum aim.
- Where
- The advice was reported from New Delhi; the World Cup is jointly hosted by Amstelveen, Netherlands, and Wavre, Belgium.
- When
- Sreejesh's remarks were reported on August 12, ahead of the FIH World Cup, which runs from August 15 to 30.
- Why
- To help India handle the pressure of hockey's second-biggest tournament and end its World Cup podium drought since winning gold in 1975.
Key facts
- Event
- FIH World Cup
- Dates
- August 15-30
- Host cities
- Amstelveen, Netherlands; Wavre, Belgium
- India's captains
- Harmanpreet Singh (men); Salima Tete (women)
- India's Pool D fixtures
- Wales (Aug 15), England (Aug 17), Pakistan (Aug 19)
- Recent Olympic results
- Back-to-back bronze medals at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024
- Last World Cup podium
- 1975 (gold)
- FIH Pro League finish
- 8th of 9 teams
Quotes
PR Sreejesh
Former India hockey goalkeeper
“"In my opinion, the way this team is set up and the progress we have made, a top four finish is the minimum we should aim for. Looking at the pool we have been drawn in, we have the quality and the depth to achieve that. Anything beyond that, silver, gold, or bronze, would be a bonus."”
deccanchronicle.com
“"But you cannot let that pressure affect your game. When you start thinking too much about it, your performance drops. And when your performance drops, the pressure increases even more. So the key is to stay calm, focus on your role, and trust your training."”
theprint.in
telegraphindia.com
Sources
Don’t let pressure affect your game, trust your training: Sreejesh tells India ahead of World Cup
Sreejesh advice for India teams: Trust preparation, keep World Cup pressure away
PR Sreejesh's World Cup Advice: Trust Training, Enjoy The Moment
India Capable Of Hockey World Cup Top Four Finish: Former Captain Sreejesh
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