Only in India do you have to stop playing sports after marriage: Preeja Sreedharan

Preeja won gold in the 2010 Asian Games

One of India’s finest female athletes, Preeja Sreedharan has announced her retirement from Athletics. The long distance runner finished her last race at the 2015 National Games in Kerala by winning the silver medal, behind O.P Jaisha.

Sreedharan has been a picture of consistency in the women’s 5000m and 10,000m event for more than two decades. Her exit has also coincided with the rise of O.P Jaisha, who dominated the National Games event. Jaisha finished one and half minutes, ahead of Sreedharan.

Sreedharan said, “I have been on the tracks for around two decades. I toiled hard in these years to better my sporting career. But, on the other side, I got very little times to spend with my family. So, I think it is the suitable time to stop or at least take a break from sports to spend more time with my near and dear ones.”

Apart from being the current National record holder, she won silver in the 10,000 m and 5,000m events at the 2010 Asian Games. However, Sreedharan completely dismissed that she was quitting due to her age.

The 32-year old said, “ I think long distance runners can showcase good performance even after they cross 30 years especially during early and mid 30s. There are many foreign athletes who have done this. This has no connection with my retirement.”

She went on to add that only in India does one have to stop their sporting career because of marriage.