PR Sreejesh set to be appointed as Indian junior hockey team's coach: Reports

Indian men's hockey team goalkeeper and four-time Olympian, PR Sreejesh, who announced his retirement from international hockey, will soon be donning a new role of coaching the junior Indian hockey team, according to a PTI report.

Notably, Sreejesh played an exceptional role in propelling the Indian men’s hockey team to a bronze medal win over Spain on Thursday, August 8. In fact, he was a cornerstone of India's defense throughout the campaign.

This was PR Sreejesh’s second Olympic medal after he clinched his initial medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

Speaking about his new role, Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey stated that there is no one better than Sreejesh to guide the young generation of hockey players. Here's what Tirkey told PTI:

"Yes, we will appoint Sreejesh as the men's junior team coach (under-21) in a few days. We have discussed this with him and there is no one better than him to guide and nurture the youngsters."

"He has extraordinary capabilities, which he showed in Paris against Britain. Not just that, he will also be guiding the younger generations of goalkeepers," he added.

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PR Sreejesh to play a pivotal role ahead of the Junior World Cup

PR Sreejesh will be playing an important role in taking the junior hockey team to newer heights ahead of the men’s Junior World Cup, scheduled to be held in India in December 2025.

"Sreejesh is also very crucial for us to guide and inspire the team in next year's Junior World Cup as in the past also he has helped the junior side," said Tirkey.

Besides, Hockey India also wants Sreejesh to guide the current senior team goalkeepers, Krishan Bahadur Pathak and Suraj Karkera, who will replace him in the side.

"We would also like Sreejesh to be involved in guiding Krishan and Suraj who are going to replace him. He has vast experience and knows the tricks of the trade," he added.

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