Paris Olympics: Paris, July 27: Ahead of their campaign in Paris Olympics 2024, India's hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh on Saturday stated that the first goal of his team would be to qualify for the quarterfinals.
Sreejesh said since they are in a very tough group, so India have to give their best in every game. They have to play really well to excel. Because every game is vital for their qualification to the quarterfinals. India meet New Zealand in their opening match.
Earlier, Indian captain Harmanpreet Singh paid a moving tribute to veteran goalkeeper and former India captain Sreejesh, and gave a rallying call for his team.
Sreejesh, who made his senior debut in 2006, has been one of the key figures in the Indian team in last 16-17 years.
It can be recalled that India failed to qualify for the Olympics in 2008. But Sreejesh and his teammates never gave up and eventually won their first Games medal since 1980 in 2021, as India won a Bronze in Tokyo Olympics.
India were then led by Manpreet Singh, who like Sreejesh, is playing in Paris under Harmanpreet Singh.
Whether India win a medal in Paris or not, but Sreejesh has announced that the Olympics 2024 will be his last hurrah in international hockey as a player.