Every experience is an opportunity to learn and grow, says skipper Sreejesh PR

The letters addressed to the teammates, six supporting staff members and coach Harendra Singh was Sreejesh’s way of motivating the players and the whole support staff ahead of the quadrennial event being held in Jakarta/Palembang. Previously, Sreejesh had been the driving force behind the gold that was achieved in the 2014 edition of Asian Games at Incheon.

India had claimed the gold by overwhelming Pakistan in the finals through penalties. It was after whole 16 years that such an achievement came to India and currently India's hockey team is ranked fifth in the world. As he addressed all his teammates separately, he has been sure to mention that they all need to be selfless players, working towards achieving success for their country.  

“Sreejesh knows how to bring out the best in each player and in this message, he has highlighted our strong points and also emphasized on teamwork and its importance,” says a player who doesn’t want to be named.

In his letter to Sardar Singh, he has mentioned that being the most senior member in the squad, he can play a vital role in guiding the whole team. As he addressed, striker Sunil SV, he has been sure to give him a reminder that this Asian Games may be the last one he is playing. In such a scenario, it would be great, if he makes it a memorable one.

He has encouraged the young players, stating that they can play a significant role in the team’s success this year and they should take up a greater responsibility.

“Every experience is an opportunity to learn and grow and I hope you will be rich in experience and richer in your ambitions after the Asian Games,” Sreejesh has mentioned in one of the letters.“Teams are more innovative, effective and productive when everyone contributes. So it’s critical that each individual plays a well defined role. When a team outgrows individual performance, excellence becomes a reality,” Sreejesh wrote.

Coach Harendra Singh has also been on the receiving end of one of Sreejesh's letter. He has told him that this time they will be winning the games, rather than merely participating.

“Yes, I got a letter too from Sreejesh. It is good when you have a captain who motivates the team and binds them together. We call it one team, one dream and we have to do every little bit to make sure they stay together,” said Coach Harendra Singh.“Having the meals together, activation, recovery sessions, yoga, meditation, these off field things, all this is a part of the larger build up and every small step adds up to something big,” he added.

For the fun part, the team has an Australian coach Chris Ciriello, who came up with the idea that whenever a player is late for his meals or practice sessions or shows any other kind of indiscipline, he has to wear a skirt and a rooster hat for 24 hours as a punishment. So far, player Manpreet Singh has been observed to receive this punishment maximum times. Coach Singh said that it inculcates a playful atmosphere within the team.

“These are high pressure tournaments and such things give us all a reason to laugh and take off the steam. I too haven’t been spared and got the rooster hat and the skirt on the very first day of our arrival in Jakarta.“It is to tell them that we are all together in this, be it a coach or a player and together we win and lose it. It helps build team camaraderie,” he said.

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