Hockey India denies PR Sreejesh firing claims, says Olympic hero rejected new role

Hockey India has denied PR Sreejesh's claim that he was removed as junior men's coach for a foreign replacement. The exchange has widened a debate over trust in Indian coaches despite his strong results with the side.

In Short

• Sreejesh had questioned whether Indian coaches were trusted with long-term roles
• In his May 13 post, he cited five podium finishes
• Hockey India said the junior post was advertised and filled on merit

Hockey India has denied allegations made by Indian hockey legend PR Sreejesh regarding his exit from the junior men’s coaching setup, insisting that he was neither removed nor replaced because of a preference for a foreign coach. Instead, Hockey India claimed that Sreejesh’s contract had simply ended and that he had turned down an alternative developmental coaching role offered to him.

The clarification comes only hours after Sreejesh publicly questioned Hockey India’s continued trust in foreign coaches and suggested he had been replaced despite strong results with the Indian junior team. In a statement, Hockey India rejected those claims and defended its process behind the coaching appointment.

“Hockey India would like to officially state that the coaching term for P.R. Sreejesh was officially concluded as per contract in December 2025,” the federation said.

“After this, as per protocol the position was advertised and applicants were shortlisted and finalised as per a proper selection process basis merit.”

Hockey India further revealed that a new coach had already been selected through the process and would be announced soon, while also stressing that Sreejesh had been offered another important role within the Indian hockey structure.

“We have in no terms ‘fired’ Sreejesh and in fact had offered him the position of Coach for the Development team which plays a critical role for LA 28 and the next Olympic cycle as well,” 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 men’s team setup preferred a foreign coach for the junior side.

“In no terms has it ever been conveyed to him that there has been any preference for a foreign coach by the chief coach,” Hockey India said.

“We are collectively working towards the vision of our government to build a pathway towards 2036 and a big part of that process is to develop our Indian coaching talent.”

The back-and-forth has quickly become one of the biggest talking points in Indian hockey, especially because of Sreejesh’s stature within the sport and the emotional weight attached to his transition into coaching after retirement.

Widely regarded as one of India’s greatest hockey players, the former goalkeeper had openly questioned whether Indian coaches were truly being trusted with long-term responsibilities despite proven success.

His earlier social media post, where he claimed he was being replaced to make way for a foreign coach, triggered widespread debate across Indian hockey circles and among fans online.

The situation also gained attention because Sreejesh’s short coaching stint with the junior side had actually produced strong results, including podium finishes in every tournament India played under him.

WHAT DID PR SREEJESH SAY ON HOCKEY INDIA FIRING?

Sreejesh had first gone public with his frustrations through a strongly-worded social media statement on May 13.

The two-time Olympic medallist revealed that his coaching journey with the Indian junior men’s team had come to an end after just one and a half years despite consistent success.

“It seems like my coaching career comes to an end after 1.5 years, during which we played five tournaments and secured five podium finishes, including a Junior World Cup bronze medal,” Sreejesh had written.

The former India goalkeeper then made the explosive claim that he was effectively being replaced because of a preference for a foreign coach.

“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,” he said.

Sreejesh had also claimed that Hockey India informed him that the senior men’s team chief coach preferred having a foreign coach for the junior side in order to maintain continuity between both setups.

He then posed the question that quickly became central to the debate.

“Can’t Indian coaches develop Indian hockey?”

WHAT DID HOCKEY INDIA SAY ON PR SREEJESH?

Hockey India strongly pushed back against the narrative that Sreejesh had been unfairly removed or overlooked because of his nationality.

The federation stated that Indian coach development remains one of its major priorities and highlighted several initiatives already being run for homegrown coaching pathways.

“Development of the grassroots and homegrown coaches has always been central to the interests of Hockey India as a national sports federation,” the statement said.

“Hockey India's coaching pathway program has certified over 600 homegrown coaches so far and the program has had a nationwide impact.”

The federation also pointed towards the involvement of Indian coaches alongside foreign chief coaches during national camps.

“We have in fact aligned Indian coaches to our chief coaches in our training camps to enhance their exposure and skills further.”

WHAT DID PR SREEJESH WIN AS INDIA JUNIOR COACH?

Despite his relatively short stint as junior men’s coach, Sreejesh managed to build an impressive record with the Indian setup.

In 1.5 years in charge, the Indian junior side finished on the podium in all five tournaments they played under him.

The 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 Men’s World Cup

Beyond the medals, Sreejesh was widely praised for the way he connected with younger players and brought modern international experience into the setup so soon after retiring from elite hockey himself.

- Ends