Veteran Indian hockey striker SV Sunil retires

Veteran India mens hockey team striker SV Sunil has announced his international retirement bringing the curtains down on a 14yearlong career during which he was a part of the 2014 Asian Games goldwinning sideSunils decision to call time came a day after dragflicker Rupinder Pal Singh and defender Birendra Lakra who played starring roles in the Indian hockey teams historic bronze medalwinning Tokyo Olympics campaign announced their international retirements on September 30The 32yearold Sunil hailing from Karnataka was not a part of the team that competed in the Tokyo Olympics Sunil said it was time for him to make way for younger players and help to build a winning team for the future The senior player appeared in 264 India matches striking 72 goals 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 gew up playing hockey with a bamboo stick due to his familys limited resources said in a statement on his Twitter handleIt 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 11aside format With the 2024 Paris Olympics three years away I think as a senior player it is important that I make way for youngsters and help in building a winning team for the future he addedThe 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 Indias incredible rise in global hockey The twotime Olympian 2012 and 2016 remained a key player in the Indian forwardline for over a decade with fine performancesHe 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 a gold in the Asia Cup 2017 He played an instrumental role in the teams historic silver medal wins at the 2016 and 2018 FIH Champions TrophyIn his long career Sunil also led the forwardline in 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 an entire generation of young hockey playersHis commitment to the game and discipline was unmatched and he has given Indian hockey some very memorable performances Sunil said he will continue to be available to play the shorter form of the game 5aside hockey He said the gold in the 2014 Asian Games was the turning point of his careerAlso Read Tokyo Olympics medallists Rupinder Pal Singh Birendra Lakra retire from international hockeyI am grateful that I represented my country at two Olympic Games in London in 2012 and in Rio in 2012 I have seen a lot on and off the pitch in the past 14 years I have battled personal tragedies careerthreatening injuries and other setbacks to remain focussed on giving my best for the countryThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever