Former India striker SV Sunil retires from worldwide hockey

Veteran India males’s crew striker SV Sunil introduced that he has determined to retire from worldwide hockey, bringing the curtains down on a 14-year-long profession throughout which he was part of 264 matches and struck 72 objectives.

Sunil’s determination to name time got here a day after drag-flicker Rupinder Pal Singh and defender Birendra Lakra, who performed starring roles within the Indian hockey crew’s historic bronze medal-winning Tokyo Olympics marketing campaign, introduced their worldwide retirements on Friday.The 32-year-old Sunil, hailing from Karnataka, was not part of the crew that competed within the Tokyo Olympics. Sunil, mentioned it was time for him to make approach for youthful gamers and assist to construct a successful crew for the long run. The senior participant appeared in 264 India matches, putting 72 objectives.264Caps72GoalsArjuna Award WinnerThe Indian Hockey Team Forward has determined to hold his boots after an illustrious profession. Happy Retirement, SV Sunil. #IndiaKaGame pic.twitter.com/om6YnPSPhM— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) October 1, 2021
“… time to take a break. More than 14 years after I wore India colours for the first time, I have decided to make myself unavailable for the national camp which begins next week,” Sunil, who grew up enjoying hockey with a bamboo stick because of his household’s restricted sources, mentioned in a press release on his Twitter deal with.”It was not the easiest decision to make, but it was not the toughest either, given that I did not make it to the team for the Tokyo Games. The omission put a question mark on my future as a player, in the 11-a-side format.”With the 2024 Paris Olympics three years away, I believe, as a senior participant it is necessary that I make approach for children and assist in constructing a successful crew for the long run,” he added.The Arjuna awardee from Somwarpet in Coorg made his international debut in 2007 at the Asia Cup which India won after beating Pakistan in the Final.There was no looking back for the speedy striker after that and he was a part of India’s incredible rise in global hockey.The two-time Olympian (2012 and 2016) remained a key player in the Indian forward-line for over a decade with fine performances.He was in the Indian team that won gold in the 2011 Asian Champions Trophy and silver in the same event in 2012.He also won gold and bronze medals in the 2014 and 2018 Asian Games respectively besides gold in the Asia Cup 2017.He played an instrumental role in the team’s historic silver medal wins at the 2016 and 2018 FIH Champions Trophy.In his long career, Sunil also led the forward-line in the 2015 World League Final where the team won a bronze Medal and he was also part of the team that won bronze in the same event in 2017 in Bhubaneswar.He also has a silver medal from the Commonwealth Games 2014 to his credit.Congratulating Sunil for his contribution to Indian hockey, Hockey India President Gyanendro Ningombam said, “SV Sunil has been an inspiration to a complete era of younger hockey gamers.”His commitment to the game and discipline was unmatched and he has given Indian hockey some very memorable performances.”Sunil mentioned he’ll proceed to be accessible to play the shorter type of the sport (5-a-side hockey).He mentioned the gold within the 2014 Asian Games was the turning level of his profession.”I am grateful that I represented my country at two Olympic Games — in London in 2012 and in Rio in 2012.”I’ve seen lots on and off the pitch prior to now 14 years. I’ve battled private tragedies, career-threatening accidents and different setbacks to stay focussed on giving my finest for the nation.” INPUTS FROM PTI