The recently concluded FIH Pro League was not too kind to Indian hockey. While the women’s team got relegated after finishing last in the nine-team competition in June, the men, who were on a high after winning a second straight Olympic bronze in Paris nearly 12 months ago, finished eighth in the Europe leg of the marquee league after a run of seven consecutive defeats.
Former India captain and goalkeeping great P.R. Sreejesh said the poor run of results should be a wake-up call for the men’s team ahead of next year’s Asian Games and World Cup. The 37-year-old from Kerala, who retired at the end of the Paris Games, was speaking in the national capital on the sidelines of the launch of the 20th edition of the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon. The race, which will be flagged off from the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, is slated for October 12.
“The players gave a good fight on the field. Sometimes, the results are not favourable. Looking forward to next year, the Asian Games and the World Cup are coming up. Pro League can be a very good wake-up call for the team to be on its toes and prepare for the World Cup and Asian Games,” the two-time Olympic bronze medallist told reporters.
Since hanging up his playing boots, Sreejesh has transitioned to training the young generation. He is currently the chief coach of the Indian men’s junior hockey team. His major assignment this year is the Men’s FIH Hockey Junior World Cup in November and December that Chennai and Madurai are co-hosting.
“I faced enough pressure as a player. Being a coach, it is time for me to take the pressure off the players. India is hosting the junior World Cup. Maybe there are going to be around 10,000 people watching the players. I’ve just told them to be ready to accept these things and give their best on any particular day,” he said.