Legendary Goalkeeper PR Sreejesh Set To Lead As New Head Coach Of India's Junior Hockey Team

On August 8, following India's triumphant bronze medal win at the Olympics 2024, Hockey India revealed that retiring goalkeeper PR Sreejesh will step into the role of head coach for the junior men's hockey team. Sreejesh, a pivotal player in securing the bronze medal with a 2-1 victory over Spain, made crucial saves throughout the match, capping off his distinguished playing career with this achievement.

Despite his retirement announcement immediately after the game, Sreejesh has decided not to reverse his decision but rather to embark on a new journey as a coach. The announcement was made via Hockey India's social media channels on the same day.

Hockey India shared the news on Instagram, stating, "The Legend makes another Legendary move. P R Sreejesh has been appointed as the new head coach of the Jr. Men's Hockey Team. From playing to coaching, you continue to inspire all the youngsters. Looking forward to your coaching stint!"

Following the game, HI Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh confirmed the news, mentioning that the next steps would involve discussions with the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Government of India. Singh told ANI, "Goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has played his last match today, but today I want to announce that Sreejesh will be the head coach of the Junior India Hockey team...We will discuss this with the SAI and the Government of India..."

In a pre-Olympics interview with India Today, Sreejesh had shared his enthusiasm for coaching, describing it as his passion. "Yes, coaching is my passion. Being a goalkeeper, I am the coach on the ground. I communicate with my defence and organise them. Then I talk to the midfielders, the forwards and I correct them. So I may have watched more matches on the ground than the coaches from the sidelines. For me, I have worked at least with close to 15 coaches. So I don't want to waste that experience. So in the future, I will definitely come into that role," Sreejesh said.

Sreejesh is anticipated to officially assume his coaching role following the conclusion of the celebrations for the bronze medal win.