Last time I talked to the Sreejesh just before the Paris Olympics 2024. At that time, there was a lot of talk about Sreejesh’s future with the Indian team, because at that time he was 36 and had a career full of many heights and brilliant moments. I asked him if it was his last Olympics, and he was adamant when he said, No, that wasn’t that.
But just a few days later Sreejesh shocked everyone by saying that Olympic Games 2024 would actually be his last tournament in India Colors. Like many, I was sad about the development and decided to ask why he did it just before we started chatting. With the wall of Indian hockey with great laugh just said that the walls of Indian hockey
“I should have kept it as a secret from all.”
And that’s in the Sreejesh nuts. Available and positive person outside the field, always laughter. On the pitch, as suggested by his nickname, it was a wall that had just kept the opponent at bay and won the penalties for his party.
India recently won the Asia Cup 2025 in Rajgir, where fans sometimes missed the presence of a legendary goalkeeper. But Sreejesh really doesn’t miss that he’s on the lawn. He has several roles to do it because he is the head coach of the team of the Indian team Jr.men, the mentor of the SG Pipers team in Hockey India League, and is also the director of hockey for franchise.
“Life has become busier after retiring, because you are just taking care of yourself, your performance, diet and health, that’s all. But now you’re responsible for 34 players and training staff.
Sreejesh: A strict coach
Former Indian goalkeeper was made by team coach Jr.men, while the Olympic Games in Paris were still ongoing, and told me in our first interaction how he eager to be a coach.
Does Sreejesh continue his cheerful and entertaining ways with a young team as a coach? A 37 -year -old man said it was the opposite. When the game is turned on, he was called a very strict coach who is in everything.
But he understands the efforts of the player and what he has to deal with. So he keeps things open with his players.
“I understand the efforts of the player and, as they think, the pressure they will deal with. I try to be more open with my players, and I kept everything on the table and said it was what I want, and that’s my dream and that is my picture and you will do it. That’s it.
“The second thing is that I’m a little coach sharing my experience, how to try things, how other players dealt with things, how other players used their pressure and how they played their best performance. So, for young, I’m a little strict competitive, and you’re sure you’re here, what are you, what you are, what you are, what you are, what You are what you gave here, what you are here, what you are doing.
“As for junior teams, it is a responsible job because they are the future and I form it,” Sreejesh said.
Although it may be a surprise for many that Sreejesh has turned into a strict tactic, he himself said it was always.
“Just ask your former teammates as I am on the pitch. Being a goalkeeper, I was sharp and strict. I shouted at all to do the most.
And it has a reason to give his young players in the Jr. Men, because they feel they could easily disperse at their age.
“It’s Totally Different When It Comes to Juniors and Their Programs Because With the Seniors, You Can Be More Open, You Can Be More Flexible. But With the Juniors, You Just Need to Be More Stricte Because Their Age Is Like That. Things, SO’s Really Important for Me to Be More Straight Competital.
And Sreejesh has great hopes for his young site and is heading for a busy period. In October, the Sultan Johor Cup will play before heading to Chennai and Madurai at the World Championship Jr. When India won the title in 2016, Sreejesh served as one of the coaches assistants and after nine years he feels that his party can bring the cup home.
“Yes, the kids are able to win the title. It’s all about how to handle pressure and get out of the best is all, because the young generation is more passionate. They have all the devices to focus their knowledge and improve their performance. So the children are good.
“So I assure ourselves that we are facilitating all civic citizens so that this specific time can work better in the field. The crowd will be huge in Tamil over the overhang and they will encourage us. They also force their players to dream,” Sreejesh said.
Driving SG Pipers vision
Sreejesh was on the auction table last year when SG Pipers assembled a young team full of many U-21 stars. And this also applies to the female team. Sreejesh said that the simple target of franchise is not limited to winning titles, but also to help Indian hockey.
“It’s not my vision. It’s about the vision of SG Pipera. Our vision is to contribute to Indian hockey and we spend a lot of money for young people to be the future of Indian hockey. When India is looking forward to 2026, young people who will only have those who are only those who are only people who are only people. “Sreejesh said.
Srejesh spoke of his role as a mentor with SG Pipers and said that his task is to ensure that players have a trouble -free environment during Hil.
“I’m here to support players. So when the role comes to the administrator, the goal is to provide players the best possible device and we have very good coaching staff, team.”
“Most of the time it is about to ensure that players are fine with their devices and players are satisfied with them, and ensure that they have a tournament without any problems. It’s a veteran, I am accessible to anyone.
The Indian dream of seniors
Like many players who have become coaches like him, the final goal of the legendary goalkeeper is to train the senior team. But Sreejesh does not feel that it will happen quickly because he is still new in the coaching area.
“I am learning now. I played hockey for 25 years, but I have been taking steps in coaching. So when I feel like I’m pretty mature, I’m able to enter these shoes, then it will come, but not really soon.
“I learn from many coaches. So, as soon as I feel that it is time for the elderly and the right time when hockey India calls me, I assure myself that my knowledge and experience will help the senior team in the right way.” I will, “Sreejesh said.
What is the final goal as a coach Sreejesh? Wants to win the World Cup with a team of seniors,
“Win the World Championship. Because I played 4 World Championships, nothing. But I played 4 Olympics, 2 medals. So I think for male senior and junior teams, World Cup is the biggest goal,” Sreejesh said.
He will certainly have a chance to win one, because India will be grouped with Pakistan in an intensive group. But with Sreejesh you can expect young players to raise and end the drought.
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Published on:
26 September 2025
