Former India men's hockey captain and goalkeeper PR Sreejesh criticized Hockey India on Tuesday after national teams missed the World Cup semi-finals.
The public rebuke from a former captain signals deep frustration with the current state of the sport in India. Sreejesh's comments highlight a perceived lack of preparation and a culture of avoiding responsibility within the national governing body.
Both the men's and women's teams failed to reach the semi-finals of the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 [1]. Sreejesh said the results were unacceptable and questioned the lack of accountability regarding the teams' performances.
He specifically targeted the mindset surrounding the tournament, stating that the event is not a "dress rehearsal" [2]. Sreejesh said that viewing a major tournament as a trial run for future events undermines the prestige of the competition, and the effort of the players.
The former goalkeeper called for better preparation and a more rigorous approach to the sport's administration. He said that the disappointment of the 2026 exit must lead to concrete changes in how the teams are managed and trained [1].
Sreejesh's criticisms follow a period of high expectations for Indian hockey on the global stage. By demanding accountability, he is pushing Hockey India to explain the failures that led to the early exits of both national squads [3].
“The tournament is not a "dress rehearsal".”
The criticism from PR Sreejesh reflects a growing tension between former athletes and the administration of Hockey India. By framing the World Cup as a primary goal rather than a preparation phase, Sreejesh is challenging the governing body to shift from a developmental mindset to a results-oriented one to regain international competitiveness.
