‘Can't Indian Coaches Develop Indian Hockey?': PR Sreejesh Questions Hockey India After Exit From Junior Team Role

Indian hockey legend PR Sreejesh has publicly questioned Hockey India's continued preference for foreign coaches after revealing that his coaching stint with the Indian junior men's hockey team has come to an end.

In a strongly-worded social media post, the former India goalkeeper on Wednesday (May 13) expressed disappointment over being removed despite delivering consistent success during his brief coaching tenure.

"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 wrote.

The two-time Olympic medallist further stated that while coaches are often removed after poor performances, this was the first time he was witnessing a coach being replaced to make way for a foreign appointment.

"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 added.

Sreejesh Questions Hockey India's Coaching Policy

Sreejesh claimed that the decision was linked to the preference of the senior men's team chief coach, who reportedly believes a foreign head coach for the junior side would help create continuity between junior and senior setups.

"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," Sreejesh said.

The former goalkeeper then posed a direct question that has already triggered widespread debate across Indian hockey circles: "Can't Indian coaches develop Indian hockey?"

The statement reflects growing concerns over the lack of trust placed in Indian coaches despite the country's improving performances on the international stage in recent years.

Reference to Meeting With Sports Minister

Sreejesh also referred to a meeting held earlier this year with Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, where he was reportedly encouraged to take up larger coaching responsibilities in the lead-up to the 2036 Olympics.

"On 07-03-2026, during a meeting with the Hon'ble Sports Minister Shri Mansukh Mandaviya, I was told, 'Sreejesh, we need coaches like you to step up and lead our country as we prepare for 2036,'" he wrote.

However, he contrasted that encouragement with Hockey India's current approach.

"However, Hockey India continues to place its trust in foreign coaches over Indian ones across all four teams," Sreejesh added.

A Decorated Career On and Off the Field

Widely regarded as one of India's greatest hockey players, Sreejesh played a pivotal role in India's resurgence on the global stage, including Olympic medal-winning campaigns and major international successes.

Following his retirement, many viewed his transition into coaching as a significant boost for Indian hockey's long-term future, especially given his understanding of modern hockey and experience working with elite international teams.

His remarks are now likely to spark a larger conversation around the role of Indian coaches in national sports systems and whether former elite athletes are being given enough opportunities to shape the future of Indian sport.