P R Sreejesh's stint as India's junior men's hockey coach has concluded after 17 months, but his departure has ignited a dispute between the former goalkeeper and Hockey India, with both sides presenting conflicting accounts.
Contract Non-Renewal and New Appointment
Sreejesh's contract expired after he guided India to a bronze medal at the Junior World Cup held in Chennai and Madurai last year. Despite reapplying for the position, Hockey India chose not to renew his contract. On Thursday, the federation officially appointed Frederic Soyez as the new junior men's team coach.
Hockey India stated that the decision was routine and followed proper procedures. However, Sreejesh took to social media to claim that he was overlooked in favor of a foreign coach allegedly preferred by senior men's coach Craig Fulton.
Mixed Reactions Among Players
The controversy has reportedly caused division within the junior team. A source quoted by news agency PTI said, "Some players of the junior team were not happy with Sreejesh's working style; they couldn't reach him when needed over the phone when camps were not in progress."
Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey defended the decision, framing it as part of a long-term plan linked to India's preparations for the 2036 Olympics. "We have not fired Sreejesh. His contract expired in December 2025, and we followed due process by advertising for the position. He applied, and applicants were shortlisted and finalized based on merit through a proper selection process," Tirkey said.
Alternative Roles Offered
Tirkey added that Hockey India had offered Sreejesh alternative roles. "We never wanted him to leave the coaching program. We offered him the opportunity to lead the developmental program, India A, and beyond. Additionally, we asked him to guide our goalkeepers at the national level with his vast experience, but he refused," Tirkey explained. "However, the doors are always open for him and other Indian coaches."
Sreejesh transitioned directly from playing to coaching without formal coaching experience at the time of his appointment. Having played under several foreign coaches, including Roelant Oltmans, Terry Walsh, Graham Reid, and Craig Fulton, his criticism of Hockey India's preference for a foreign coach has drawn attention.
Tirkey denied that Fulton influenced the appointment. "We never conveyed to him that the chief coach of the men's team preferred a foreign coach for the junior side. As a federation, we are collectively working towards the government's vision to build a pathway for 2036, and a big part of that is developing Indian coaching talent."
Apart from coaching, Sreejesh serves as mentor and director of the Hockey India League franchise Delhi SG Pipers.
