PR Sreejesh Questions His Removal As India's Junior Hockey Coach, Alleges Federation Preferring Foreign Appointments
Despite a successful 18-month tenure that yielded a bronze medal at the Junior World Cup, Sreejesh has alleged that a systemic preference for foreign appointments is stifling local talent within the national coaching framework
Indian hockey legend PR Sreejesh has voiced significant concerns regarding the future of domestic coaching after his removal as the head coach of the India junior men’s team. Despite a successful 18-month tenure that yielded a bronze medal at the Junior World Cup, Sreejesh has alleged that a systemic preference for foreign appointments is stifling local talent within the national coaching framework. PR Sreejesh Receives Prestigious Padma Shri Award From President Droupadi Murmu For His Contributions in the Field of Sports (Watch Video).
PR Sreejesh Raises Concerns
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
The former captain’s comments come amid reports that Hockey India (HI) is seeking an overseas replacement to head the junior side. The decision has sparked a wider debate about the transition of former Indian internationals into high-performance coachin
A Record of Consistent Success
Since his appointment following retirement from active play, Sreejesh has overseen a period of notable consistency for the junior side. During his year-and-a-half in charge, the team secured five podium finishes in international competitions, including a bronze at the recent Junior World Cup.
In a statement released on Wednesday, 13 May, Sreejesh highlighted that the decision to replace him was not based on performance. He noted that the team’s upward trajectory suggested the current coaching philosophy was effective, making the move to look abroad particularly unexpected for the players and support staff.
Allegations of Foreign Bias
Sreejesh claimed that Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey informed him that the senior team’s management preferred a foreign coach for the junior setup. The move is reportedly intended to ensure "tactical continuity" between the two squads, a justification Sreejesh has publicly challenged.
"If we always look for solutions outside, when will we develop our own systems?" Sreejesh questioned. He expressed frustration that after decades of service as a player and achieving objective success as a coach, the system still appears to lack confidence in Indian specialists for top-tier leadership positions.
Clash with National Objectives
The controversy appears to conflict with recent directives from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya had previously identified Sreejesh as a cornerstone of India’s coaching development programme, specifically for the 'Mission 2036' Olympic bid.
While Hockey India maintains that its goal is to bring in the 'best possible global expertise,' the removal of a high-profile domestic figure has led to questions regarding the sustainability of the current model. Critics argue that relying on foreign coaches for the junior level may hinder the long-term development of an indigenous 'Indian style' of play.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 13, 2026 06:32 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
