‘Removed for foreign coach’: Sreejesh slams HI, asks: ‘Can’t Indians develop hockey?’

NEW DELHI: Indian hockey icon PR Sreejesh has publically questioned Hockey India implicit its continued penchant for overseas coaches aft revealing that his stint arsenic manager of the inferior men’s broadside has travel to an abrupt end.In a strongly-worded societal media post, Sreejesh claimed helium was removed contempt guiding the squad to occurrence successful each tourney nether his watch, and suggested that the determination was made to bring successful a overseas manager instead.The erstwhile goalkeeper, wide considered 1 of India’s brightest semipermanent coaching prospects aft retirement, said the improvement had near him stunned.“It seems similar my coaching vocation comes to an extremity aft 1.5 years, during which we played 5 tournaments and secured 5 podium finishes, including a Junior World Cup bronze medal,” Sreejesh wrote.

‘Removed contempt results’Under Sreejesh, the Indian inferior men’s squad won the Men's Junior Asia Cup golden medal, secured bronze astatine the Sultan of Johor Cup and besides finished with bronze astatine the FIH Junior Men's World Cup. Across 5 tournaments, the broadside finished connected the podium each time.Sreejesh pointed retired that helium had heard of coaches losing jobs aft mediocre results, but said his lawsuit was wholly different.“I person heard astir coaches getting fired aft atrocious performances.

But this is the archetypal clip I americium experiencing being removed to marque mode for a overseas coach,” helium said.

Questions for Hockey IndiaSreejesh revealed the mentation helium was allegedly fixed by the federation. According to him, the determination was linked to the penchant of the elder men’s coaching setup.“The Hockey India President stated that the main manager of the elder men’s squad prefers a overseas caput manager for the inferior team, believing it volition assistance make Indian hockey from the inferior level done to the elder level,” helium wrote.That prompted his pointed question: “Can’t Indian coaches make Indian hockey?”Contrast with minister’s messageSreejesh besides revealed that helium had received encouragement earlier this twelvemonth from Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to instrumentality connected larger responsibilities successful India’s build-up to the 2036 Summer Olympics.“On 07-03-2026, during a gathering with the Hon’ble Sports Minister Shri Mansukh Mandaviya, I was told, ‘Sreejesh, we request coaches similar you to measurement up and pb our state arsenic we hole for 2036,’” helium said.He contrasted that backing with what helium described arsenic the federation’s existent approach.“However, Hockey India continues to spot its spot successful overseas coaches implicit Indian ones crossed each 4 teams,” helium concluded.