Concerns Raised Over Hockey India’s Coaching Decisions by PR Sreejesh
Former Indian hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has voiced serious concerns about how Hockey India is being managed following his unexpected departure from the junior men’s team. He highlighted a troubling lack of clarity regarding the federation’s development plans, mentioning that there isn’t a clear player pool or any upcoming tournament schedule.
Sreejesh expressed dissatisfaction about the increasing reliance on foreign coaches and noted that he was let go despite achieving commendable results during his 18-month coaching period. His recent social media comments have sparked discussions about Hockey India’s long-term strategies and coaching practices.
In his post, Sreejesh shared his frustration after being proposed for a goalkeeper-coach position after leading the junior team to a bronze medal at the Junior World Cup. He questioned if this new role should be perceived as a promotion or a step back in his career.
“When I was offered the ‘development team’ role by the Hockey India president, I had simple questions: Is there a real development team? Who are the players involved? What does the program structure look like? What camps have been approved? What tournaments are on the horizon?” he wrote. “I received no answers. After leading the junior team to a bronze medal, being assigned as a goalkeeper coach again—how is that viewed?”
Concerns Over Foreign Coaches
Sreejesh further criticized Hockey India’s increasing reliance on foreign coaches, pointing out a lack of opportunities for homegrown talents like Sardar Singh and Rani Rampal, despite their contributions to the sport. He noted, “With 4 teams and 6 foreign coaches, plus several other foreign support staff, we only have one Indian coach per team. The junior team is already filled by foreigners; perhaps the U18 team will follow suit.”
He raised doubts about the decision-making processes in choosing coaching staff, wondering why successful former players are not given coaching roles.
Hockey India’s Response
In response to Sreejesh’s statements, Hockey India has firmly denied any claims of unfair treatment, emphasizing their dedication to developing Indian coaches. They clarified that Sreejesh’s contract simply ended, and he chose to decline another coaching position offered to him.
Hockey India also mentioned its commitment to coaching development, noting that over 600 Indian coaches have been certified and that local coaches regularly collaborate with foreign experts during training camps to enhance their skills.
Successful Coaching Period for Sreejesh
Despite his recent exit, Sreejesh had a notable tenure as the coach of the junior men’s team. Under his leadership, the team performed exceptionally well, bringing home medals in all five tournaments they entered. They clinched gold at the Men’s Junior Asia Cup and won bronze at both the Sultan of Johor Cup and the FIH Junior Men’s World Cup.
Sreejesh was praised for his excellent rapport with young athletes and for bringing valuable international experience into the coaching setup soon after his retirement from professional hockey. His calm approach and modern coaching style had quickly made him a standout among India’s emerging coaches.
Published by: Sabyasachi Chowdhury
Date: May 14, 2026
