Preeja Sreedharan to quit after 35th National Games

Former Asian Games gold medallist Preeja Sreedharan, who failed to defend her 10,000 metres title in Incheon, Sunday said she would be ending her career after the 35th National Games in Kerala slated for Jan 31-Feb 14.

The 32-year-old Preeja had won the gold in the 10,000m and silver in the 5000m at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, but failed in Incheon.

"With the 35th National Games to be held in Kerala, I have decided to quit from athletics after the Games. I would do whatever I can for the betterment of the sport besides be with my family," said Preeja, who holds the national record in both 10,000m and 5000m.

Preeja, who was conferred with the Arjuna Award in 2011, hails from a poor family in Idukki. She lost her father more than two decades back and it was her mother who struggled to bring up the family. With hard work and support from her family, Preeja rose to stardom in Indian athletics.

Her excellent performance saw her landing a job as clerk with Indian Railways and now she is a superintendent. She is married to Deepak Gopinath, a doctor by profession, and lives at Palakkad.