Legendary Indian goalkeeper and current men’s junior hockey team coach PR Sreejesh advised the Indian colts to view the upcoming FIH Junior Men’s World Cup as a milestone in their career, with the goal of
representing the senio men’s team the ultimate destination.
The 37-year-ol double Olympic medallist opined that the age-category spectacle would provide the team with crucial experience and vital lessons.
The FIH Junior Men’s World Cup will be co-hosted by Chennai and Madurai from November 28 to December 10 and Sreejesh revealed that he is trying to help the youngsters understand how to cope with the challenges the sport poses in his capacity as the coach.
“For the juniors, this is one of the greatest milestones of their careers because from here, their journey to the senior level begins. One thing I always tell these guys is to dream about 2028 or 2032 because they are not meant to be juniors forever,” he said.
“They have a long-term vision for their future and career, but this is one of the best stepping stones from where they can start,” Sreejesh said.
“I always tell them to dream big. There are many players in the senior team who never played in a Junior World Cup. This is a place where you gain experience because this is a World Cup. It will give them experience, teach pressure management, and how to overcome challenges. This is a great platform for them,” he added.
“And secondly, we are training them to win and meet expectations. We are training hard to win the tournament so that they gain more confidence. The Junior World Cup is just the start. What is important is what they learn from this tournament,” Sreejesh said.
India will be without the services of striker Araijeet Singh Hundal, who featured in the last Junior World Cup and has played for the senior side, due to a shoulder injury.
“We will definitely miss him, but the player who replaced him is good enough, and I hope the team will not feel his absence,” the Tokyo, Paris Olympics bronze medallist said.
“During a training session, Hundal fell and dislocated his shoulder. But it is a great opportunity for the player who replaced him to make the most of it,” Sreejesh said.
India is placed alongside Chile, Switzerland, and Oman, who replaced Pakistan after they withdrew from the tournament citing security reasons, in Pool B.
“The Junior World Cup starts from the quarterfinals, and this time it is going to be a bit tricky because of the six pools. What is important is that we need to give our best. We can’t take any match lightly, we need to score as many goals as possible and not concede any goals,” Sreejesh said.
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