‘Overlooked’ Sreejesh questions Hockey India: 'Removed to make way for a foreign coach'

BENGALURU: Tensions between coaches and Hockey India (HI) are not new, but on Wednesday former India captain PR Sreejesh publicly criticised the federation over the treatment of Indian coaches after being overlooked for the junior men’s team chief coach role.Sreejesh, who guided the junior side to bronze at the FIH Junior World Cup last year, took charge of the team soon after retiring following the 2024 Paris Olympics. His contract ran until Dec 2025. In a strongly worded social media post, the 38-year-old questioned the federation’s decision-making process after learning that a foreign coach had been selected for the role"It seems like my coaching career comes to an end after 1.5 years, during which we played 5 tournaments and secured 5 podium finishes, including a Junior World Cup bronze medal.I have heard about coaches getting fired after bad performances. But this is the first time I am experiencing being removed to make way for a foreign coach," lamented Sreejesh. One of the finest goalkeepers to have played for the country, Sreejesh is also among the rare international goalkeepers to transition into a head coach’s role. He was among the candidates interviewed for the junior chief coach’s post last month, but HI has finalised a foreign appointment for the side currently training at the SAI South Centre in Bengaluru under coach Janardhana.According to a statement from HI president Dilip Tirkey, Sreejesh was offered the development squad coaching, which he turned down.Admitting that he was offered the role, the Padma Bhushan awardee told TOI, "I took over the junior team soon after retirement with no coaching experience. Now when I have experience, they want someone with more experience. But if experience is the criteria, how do I fit into the development team?"Sreejesh, who has played most of his career under foreign coaches, questioned their dominance in the coaching arena. "There are 10 foreign coaches and support staff in the system now, with very few Indian coaches. I'm not against them, but for years, we have been talking about developing Indian coaches, where is the development?It is also learnt that another role Sreejesh refused was that of a goalkeeping coach of the senior team.Taking a swipe at former Indian captain Tirkey, Sreejesh, a FIH level 3 coach, stated, “The Hockey India president stated that the chief coach of the senior men’s team prefers a foreign head coach for the junior team, believing it will help develop Indian hockey from the junior level through to the senior level. Hence, the continued preference for foreign coaches.” Refuting the claims, Tirkey said, “In no terms has it ever been conveyed to him that there has been any preference for a foreign coach by the chief coach.”With no immediate role in the national setup, Sreejesh will return to Kerala, where he serves as joint director (Sports) in the state general and higher education department.MEDALS UNDER SREEJESH2024Sultan of Johor Cup - BronzeJr Asia Cup - Gold2025Sultan of Johor Cup - SilverFIH Junior World Cup- BronzeHI STATEMENT"The coaching term for PR Sreejesh concluded as per contract in Dec 2025. After this, as per protocol the position was advertised and applicants were shortlisted and finalised as per a proper selection process basis merit. A coach with distinguished qualifications has been selected as a result of this process," the national governing body said.