Hockey India has denied allegations leveled by Indian hockey legend PR Sreejesh regarding his exit from coaching juniors, insisting that he was neither removed nor replaced due to preference for a foreign coach. Instead, Hockey India claimed that Sreejesh’s contract had simply expired and that he had turned down the alternative development coach role offered.
Clarification comes only after a few hours Sreejesh publicly questioned Hockey India’s continued reliance on foreign coaches and suggested that he was replaced despite good results with the Indian junior team. In a statement, Hockey India rejected the claims and defended its process for appointing the coach.
“Hockey India would like to officially announce that the coaching term for PR Sreejesh has officially closed as per contract in December 2025,” the federation said.
“Thereafter, as per protocol, the position was advertised and applicants were shortlisted and finalized on merit based on a proper selection process.”
Hockey India further revealed that the new coach has already been selected through a process and will be announced soon, while highlighting that Sreejesh has been offered another important role in the Indian hockey structure.
“We have by no means fired Sreejesh and have in fact offered him the position of Development Team Coach who plays a key role for LA 28 as well as the next Olympic cycle,” the statement added.
“However, he did not accept this position despite being asked to reconsider the decision.”
The federation also directly denied Sreejesh’s claim that the senior team set-up preferred a foreign coach for the junior side.
“In no way was he told that the head coach would prefer a foreign coach,” he told Hockey India.
“Together we are working towards our government’s vision of building a pathway to 2036 and developing our Indian coaching talent is a big part of that process.”
The back-and-forth has quickly become one of the biggest topics in Indian hockey, especially because of Sreejesh’s stature in the sport and the emotional weight attached to his transition into coaching after retirement.
Widely regarded as one of India’s best hockey players, the former goalkeeper has openly questioned whether India’s coaches are truly trusted with the long-term responsibility despite their proven track record.
His earlier post on social media, where he claimed that he was replaced to make way for a foreign coach, sparked a wide debate in Indian hockey circles and among fans online.
The situation also gained attention because Sreejesh’s brief coaching stint at the juniors actually produced great results, including podium finishes in every tournament India played under him.
WHAT DID PR SREEJESH SAY ABOUT HOCKEY INDIA?
Sreejesh first aired his frustration through a strongly worded statement on social media on 13
The two-time Olympic medalist revealed that his coaching journey with the Indian junior men’s team has ended after just one-and-a-half years despite consistent success.
“My coaching career seems to be coming to an end after 1.5 years in which we have played five tournaments and secured five podium finishes, including a bronze medal at the World Junior Championships,” wrote Sreejesh.
The former India wicketkeeper then explosively claimed that he was effectively replaced due to the preference of a foreign coach.
“I have heard of coaches being sacked after poor performances. But this is the first time I have been sacked to make way for a foreign coach,” he said.
Sreejesh also claimed that Hockey India informed him that the head coach of the senior team prefers a foreign coach for the junior side to maintain continuity between the two sets.
He then asked a question that quickly became central to the debate.
“Can’t Indian coaches develop Indian hockey?”
WHAT HOCKEY INDIA SAID ON PR SREEJESH?
Hockey India strongly rejected the narrative that Sreejesh was unfairly removed or overlooked because of his nationality.
The federation said the development of Indian coaches remains one of its top priorities and highlighted several initiatives already underway in the field of domestic coaching.
“The development of local and home-grown coaches has always been central to Hockey India’s interests as a national sports federation,” the statement said.
“Hockey India’s coaching program has so far certified more than 600 domestic coaches and the program has had a nationwide impact.”
The federation also pointed to the involvement of Indian coaches alongside foreign head coaches during national camps.
“In fact, we have matched Indian coaches with our head coaches in our training camps to further enhance their exposure and skills.
WHAT HAS PR SREEJESH WON AS INDIA JUNIOR COACH?
Despite a relatively short stint as junior coach, Sreejesh has managed to build an impressive record with the Indian set-up.
In 1.5 years in charge, the Indian junior side finished on the podium in all five tournaments they played under him.
Achievements included:
- Gold medal at the Men’s Junior Asia Cup
- Bronze medal at the Sultan of Johor Cup
- Bronze medal at the FIH Junior World Cup
Apart from the medals, Sreejesh was widely praised for the way he connected with the younger players and brought modern international experience to the game so soon after retiring from elite hockey himself.
– The end
Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
13 May 2026 20:05 IST
