Hockey India captain PR Sreejesh dedicates Asian Championship Trophy triumph to Uri attack martyrs

Bengaluru: National team captain P R Sreejesh today dedicated the Asian Championship Trophy triumph to the Indian soldiers martyred in the Uri attack and their families, saying it's a Diwali gift to those who lost their lives while safeguarding the country.

"Winning Asian Championship Trophy is a Diwali gift to the Indian soldiers. The Indian soldiers, who are safeguarding our borders, would have definitely enjoyed this medal more than any other medal," Sreejesh told reporters here after arriving from Kuala Lampur.

Sreejesh, along with Nikkin Thimmaiah, arrived at the city airport around 11.45 last night after defeating Pakistan in Asian Championship Trophy final.

"It is also a Diwali gift to those kins of martyred soldiers who lost their lives in Uri attacks carried out by cross-border terrorists," the Indian goalkeeper said.

The army base, located barely a few kilometers from the Line of Control (LoC) and about 70 km from Srinagar, was subjected to the brazen attack by four terrorists on September 18 at around 5.30 am, causing heavy casualties in the Dogra regiment.

Asked about the emotions running through the players while playing the final against Pakistan, Sreejesh said, "Yes, a lot of emotions run through the Indian players when they play against Pakistan. However, the players nowadays tend to focus more on the on-field battle than off-field issues," he said.

The players did not let emotions get to them and shut themselves off the outside world, Sreejesh said.

"The players did not let their emotions take them over. The tournament was more about winning the title and performances," he said.

The players also stayed away from social media to avoid controversies, especially when India was playing Pakistan, Sreejesh said.

"I think that was the best factor, apart from these players. It is a team with several youngsters, but they showed maturity on the field. We dominated this tournament," he said.

"It was a different feeling this time," he said.

"Of seven matches, we won six and drew one. That shows how good we are at the Asia level. That's how we prepared for the league match against Pakistan," he added.