Hockey India rejects Sreejesh’s 'fired for foreign coach' allegations: 'He did not accept this position'

Hockey India (HI) has responded to the allegations made by India legend PR Sreejesh regarding his exit as coach of the Indian junior men’s hockey team. Earlier today, Sreejesh had claimed that he was removed from his role to make way for a foreign coach. The former India goalkeeper had also questioned Hockey India’s preference for overseas coaches despite his successful stint with the junior team.

However, HI has now denied those claims in an official statement. The federation clarified that Sreejesh’s coaching contract had officially ended in December 2025 and that he was not "fired" from the role. The federation also claimed that Sreejesh was offered another important coaching role with the Development team, but he chose not to accept the offer.

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"Hockey India would like to officially state that the coaching term for P.R. Sreejesh was officially concluded as per contract in December 2025. After this, as per protocol the position was advertised and applicants were shortlisted and finalised as per a proper selection process basis merit," the statement read.

"We have in no terms “fired” Sreejesh and in fact had offered him the position of Coach for the Development team which plays a critical role for LA 28 and the next olympic cycle as well. This would have furthered his experience and exposure as a coach. However, he did not accept this position despite being asked to reconsider the decision," HI added.

The federation also rejected Sreejesh’s allegation that there was a preference for foreign coaches in Indian hockey. Hockey India said that no such message had been communicated to him by the senior team coaching staff.

"In no terms has it ever been conveyed to him that there has been any preference for a foreign coach by the chief coach. We are collectively working towards the vision of our government to build a pathway towards 2036 and a big part of that process is to develop our Indian coaching talent," the statement read.

Sreejesh's allegations

The controversy began after Sreejesh posted a strong message on social media, where he questioned whether HI prefers foreign coaches over Indian talent. The two-time Olympic medalist said that HI president Dilip Tirkey had informed him that senior team head coach wants foreign coaches at the junior level.