New Delhi: After the Indian hockey legend, Hockey India has also issued a detailed response. PR Srijesh Publicly questioned the federation’s continued reliance on foreign coaches, saying his contract as junior men’s coach had expired and he had never been “fired”.The statement came hours after Sreejesh posted a strongly-worded message on social media, claiming that he had been dropped despite five podium finishes in five tournaments and alleged that he had been replaced to make way for a foreign coach.
Hockey India has denied removing PR Sreejesh.
Responding to the controversy, Hockey India said Sreejesh’s coaching tenure officially ended in December 2025 as per the contract and the post was advertised thereafter as per standard procedure.“The coaching period for PR Sreejesh formally ended in December 2025 as per the agreement. Thereafter, the position was advertised as per protocol and applicants were shortlisted and finalized as per proper selection process based on merit,” the federation said.He added that the new coach has been selected based on merit and will be announced soon.The federation strongly denied Sreejesh’s claim that he had been removed.“We have in no way ‘fired’ Sreejesh,” the statement said.An alternate role was offered for Olympic cycleHockey India revealed that Sreejesh had been offered the role of coach of the development team, which he described as an important part of India’s preparations for the 2028 Summer Olympics and the wider 2036 Olympic roadmap.“It would have increased his experience and exposure as a coach. However, he did not accept the position despite being asked to reconsider the decision.”The federation also denied that senior men’s coach Craig Fulton had sought foreign junior coaches.“In no event was he ever informed that a foreign coach was preferred by the chief coach,” the statement said.
Sreejesh’s public challenge
Earlier, Sreejesh had claimed that despite winning medals in every tournament, his successful run came to an unexpected end after just one-and-a-half years.“It seems that my coaching career is coming to an end after 1.5 years, during which we played five tournaments and achieved five podium finishes, including a Junior World Cup bronze medal”.He also asked the question that has sparked debate in Indian hockey: “Can’t Indian coaches develop Indian hockey?”Under Sreejesh’s leadership, India won the Men’s Junior Asia Cup, took bronze at the FIH Junior Men’s World Cup and finished on the podium in all five events.The federation defended the path of the Indian coach.Hockey India said development of Indian coaches is central to its plans.He claims that his coaching pathway program has already certified more than 600 domestic coaches across the country and insists that Indian coaches regularly coordinate with senior training camps to improve exposure.“We continue to value PR Sreejesh as a legend of the game and look forward to his future success,” the federation said, even as public dissent has sparked a wider debate over India’s coaching direction ahead of the next Olympic cycle.
