PR Sreejesh. (Image File – AP Photo) NEW DELHI: Hockey India issued a detailed response after Indian hockey legend PR Sreejesh publicly questioned the federation’s continued reliance on foreign coaches, saying his contract as a junior coach simply ended and he was never “fired”.The statement came hours after Sreejesh posted a strongly worded message on social media claiming he had been removed despite five podium finishes in five tournaments and claimed he was replaced to make way for a foreign coach.
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Hockey India denies removal of PR Sreejesh
Responding to the controversy, Hockey India stated that Sreejesh’s coaching tenure officially ended in December 2025 as per the contract and that the post was then advertised as per standard procedure.“The training term for PR Sreejesh was officially closed as per contract in December 2025. Thereafter, as per protocol, the position was advertised and candidates were shortlisted and finalized on merit based on due selection process,” the federation said.It added that the new coach has been selected based on qualifications and will be announced soon.The federation strongly denied Sreejesh’s claim that he was removed.“We have in no way fired Sreejesh,” the statement said.Offered replacement role for Olympic cycleHockey India revealed that Sreejesh was instead offered the role of coach for the development team, which it described as a key part of India’s preparations for the 2028 Summer Olympics and the wider 2036 Olympics plan.“This would have boosted his experience and exposure as a coach. However, he did not accept the position despite being asked to reconsider the decision,” he added.The federation also denied senior men’s coach Craig Fulton had asked for a foreign junior coach.“In no way was he told that the head coach would prefer a foreign coach,” the statement said.
Sreejesh’s Public Challenge
Earlier, Sreejesh claimed that his successful run came to an unexpected end after just one-and-a-half years despite winning medals in every tournament.“My coaching career seems to be coming to an end after 1.5 years, during which we played five tournaments and secured five podium finishes, including a bronze medal at the Junior World Cup,” he wrote.He also asked a question that sparked a debate across Indian hockey: “Can’t Indian coaches develop Indian hockey?Under Sreejesh, India won the Men’s Junior Asia Cup, secured bronze at the FIH Junior Men’s World Cup and finished on the podium in all five events.The federation is blocking the path of Indian coachesHockey India said the development of Indian coaches remains central to its plans.She claimed that her coaching program has already certified more than 600 domestic coaches nationwide and insisted that Indian coaches are regularly integrated into senior training camps to improve exposure.“We continue to appreciate PR Sreejesh as a legend of the sport and look forward to his future success,” the federation said, even as the public backlash opened up a wider debate about India’s coaching direction ahead of the next Olympic cycle.
