Indian hockey team’s veteran goalkeeper and Olympic medalist PR Sreejesh has made a big attack on Hockey India. After being removed from the post of head coach of the Indian junior men’s hockey team, Sreejesh wrote a long post on social media claiming that he was removed not because of poor performance but to make way for a foreign coach.
This statement of Sreejesh is Indian Hockey This could spark a new debate regarding continued priority being given to foreign coaches. The special thing is that during his tenure, the performance of the junior team was excellent and the team achieved podium finish in all the tournaments played.
Sreejesh wrote in his post- It seems that my coaching career ended in just 1.5 years. During this period, we played 5 tournaments and achieved podium finishes in all five, which also includes the Junior World Cup bronze medal.
He further said- I had heard about coaches being removed after poor performance, but for the first time I am seeing that foreign coaches are being removed to make room for them.
It’s 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…— sreejesh p r (@16Sreejesh) May 13, 2026
Serious allegations made against Hockey India
The former Indian goalkeeper claimed that the top officials of Hockey India told him that the head coach of the senior men’s team wants a foreign coach in the junior team also, so that a similar system can be developed from junior to senior level.
Sreejesh said- Hockey India President said that the head coach of the senior team wants a foreign head coach for the junior team. He believes that with this, Indian hockey can be developed in a better way from junior level to senior level.
This is where Sreejesh asked the biggest question. He asked- Can’t Indian coaches develop Indian hockey?
Sreejesh’s coaching tenure was excellent
Sreejesh’s tenure may have been short, but his achievements were huge. Under his leadership, the Indian junior team consistently performed well.
During his tenure, he has won gold medal in Junior Asia Cup, bronze medal in Sultan of Johor Cup, bronze medal in FIH Junior Men’s World Cup.
Podium finish in all 5 tournaments played
Many people associated with Indian hockey believed that Sreejesh, who recently retired from international hockey, had a better connect with the young players and could become a big face of the Indian coaching setup in the future.
Sports Minister was also mentioned
Sreejesh also mentioned Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya in his post. He told that in the meeting held on March 7, 2026, the Sports Minister had inspired him to come forward and take the responsibility of coaching for India’s 2036 Olympic vision.
He wrote- On March 7, 2026, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya had told me that the country needs coaches like you to prepare for 2036. However, after this he again targeted Hockey India and said that foreign coaches are being trusted more than Indian coaches.
Old debate flares up again in Indian hockey
After this statement of Sreejesh, an old debate in Indian hockey has again intensified. Questions are being raised whether the former great players of the country are not getting enough opportunities? The Indian hockey team has been working with foreign coaches in the last several years. But the coming out openly of a successful and respected former player like Sreejesh can increase problems for Hockey India.
PR Sreejesh, counted among the greatest goalkeepers in Indian hockey history, played an important role in helping India win many historic victories. His coming into coaching after retirement was considered a big hope for the future of Indian hockey. In such a situation, his sudden departure and allegations against foreign coaches can now take the form of a big controversy.
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