New Delhi: Former India captain and legendary goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh believes the recently concluded FIH Pro League served as a timely wake-up call for the Indian men’s hockey team ahead of next year’s Asian Games and World Cup.
India struggled during the European leg of the league, finishing eighth out of nine teams and narrowly avoiding relegation. Despite the results, Sreejesh, who was part of India’s bronze medal-winning teams at the Tokyo and Paris Olympics, felt the performance wasn’t entirely disappointing.
“I think the players did well—we created a lot of chances and fought hard on the field. Unfortunately, sometimes the results just don’t go your way,” Sreejesh said at the launch of the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon on Wednesday night.
“The preparation was on point, but the outcomes weren’t. Thankfully, the coaches now have time to fine-tune the team for the Asia Cup, and of course, the Asian Games and World Cup next year,” he added. “This Pro League has reminded us to stay sharp and focused in our build-up to those major tournaments.”
The Asian Games will be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4, while the World Cup is scheduled to take place in the Netherlands and Belgium from August 15 to 30.
Now retired from international play, Sreejesh is serving as the head coach of the Indian men’s junior hockey team—a role he says he’s thoroughly enjoying.
“My routine hasn’t changed much. I still wake up early, train the players, monitor their progress, and spend the rest of the day preparing for the next session and analyzing performances,” he said. “The difference is that earlier I used to stress my body—now, it’s my mind. But I’m enjoying it.”
India will host the FIH Junior World Cup in Chennai and Madurai from November 28 to December 10 this year. Sreejesh is leaving no stone unturned in preparing his team for the challenge.
“For these boys, the Junior World Cup is the biggest test. Four-nation tournaments don’t offer the same level of pressure,” he explained. “It’s my job to guide them—share my experience on how to prepare for big tournaments and handle big matches.”
Having faced high-pressure situations himself, Sreejesh says it’s now his responsibility to absorb that pressure on behalf of his players. “As a coach, I try to help them stay realistic. Sharing my experience from my playing days is invaluable.”
India has been drawn in Pool B of the Junior World Cup alongside Pakistan, Chile, and Switzerland. Although political tensions following Operation Sindoor cast uncertainty over Pakistan’s participation, Sreejesh is urging his players to stay focused.
“Yes, India and Pakistan are in the same pool, but I don’t want my players fixated on any one team,” he said. “In tournaments like this, everything truly begins in the quarterfinals. The priority is to accumulate points and secure qualification—only then does the real competition begin.”
