From Goalkeeper to Mentor: PR Sreejesh to Coach India's Junior Hockey Team

PR Sreejesh, India's legendary hockey goalkeeper, retires to take up the role of coach for the junior national team. After an illustrious 18-year career, he is set to guide both junior and senior goalkeepers, bringing his vast experience to the forefront. Hockey India values his extraordinary capabilities and leadership.

Barely days after his retirement from professional hockey, the 'Great Wall of Indian Hockey' PR Sreejesh is set to take on a new role. Hockey India is poised to announce Sreejesh, 36, as the coach for the junior national team.

Sreejesh capped his remarkable career with a bronze medal victory over Spain, adding to his two Olympic bronzes (Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024), and earning the accolade as India's greatest-ever goalkeeper.

Hockey India President, Dilip Tirkey, confirmed the appointment: “Sreejesh will be guiding the men's junior team and nurturing future talent. His extraordinary capabilities were on display in Paris, and he will also mentor senior team goalkeepers, Krishan Bahadur Pathak and Suraj Karkera, who are set to replace him.”

Sreejesh's involvement will be pivotal for the Junior World Cup in India, December next year. Tirkey expressed his satisfaction with the senior team's bronze-medal performance, noting their unity and collective strength in Paris.