KOLKATA: Former India hockey captain Jude Felix has strongly criticised Hockey India for its handling of PR Sreejesh's exit, calling it "wrong" to remove him barely 15 months into the role. Felix, who himself was removed from the junior men's team in 2019 after less than two years despite notable achievements, expressed his disappointment in an interview with TOI.
Felix's Criticism of Sreejesh's Removal
"If Hockey India selected Sreejesh, it means they believed he was good enough. He may not have had experience, but that comes with time. If you appoint someone, you can't remove him in 15 months. That is wrong," Felix said. The former India assistant coach added that he would have utilised Sreejesh differently, given his immense contribution to Indian hockey, including winning two Olympic bronze medals. "I would have built a factory of goalkeepers under him. Goalkeeping is a crucial position, and he could have developed a whole generation. Instead, they made him coach and then removed him," Felix remarked.
Hockey India's Response
Hockey India, however, stated that it had offered Sreejesh the role of development team coach, which was considered key to preparations for the LA 2028 Olympics and the next Olympic cycle. "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," the federation said.
Felix Questions Reliance on Foreign Coaches
Felix also criticised the removal of P Shanmugam from the Indian women's team set-up and questioned Hockey India's reliance on foreign coaches, echoing concerns raised by Sreejesh in a social media post. "Have foreign coaches gone into the system and built it? No. They've worked at the surface, taken salaries, and left," Felix said. He pointed out that India have not bettered their fifth-place finish at the World Cup since 1994, indicating a lack of progress despite heavy investment.
Lack of Quality Indian Coaches
Felix admitted that "we do not have enough top-level, quality Indian coaches." He questioned the effectiveness of certification programmes, saying, "You can say we've produced 600 coaches through certification programmes. You can even say 1,600. But show me 60 top coaches who understand individual skills, team structure, corrections and player development." According to Felix, the problem starts at the grassroots, where coaching levels are average, and this reflects at every level.
The Need for a Structured Coaching System
Felix believes the solution lies in having the right people to select coaches and implementing a structured, uniform coaching system across the country. "It will take time, but it's possible," he said, adding, "Coaching is about building a complete player — a forward who can tackle like a defender and a defender who can attack. Total hockey." He maintained that unless grassroots coaching, long-term planning, and accountability are prioritised, Indian hockey will continue to struggle despite strong resources.
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