Hockey India League: PR Sreejesh appointed as director, mentor of Delhi franchise

Former India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has been appointed as the director and mentor of the Delhi Franchise, SG Pipers, for the upcoming edition of Hockey India League. Sreejesh said he decided against playing in the HIL, starting December 28, 2024.

In Short

• Sreejesh said he will work round the clock with coaches and players of Delhi SG Pipers
• Sreejesh will reunite with former India coach Graham Reid at SG Pipers
• HIL is making a return after a 7-year hiatus

PR Sreejesh was appointed as the Director and mentor of the Delhi SG Pipers, one of the teams in the newly-announced Hockey India League. Sreejesh will work closely with the head coaches of the Delhi SG Pipers’ men’s and women’s teams.

PR Sreejesh said he is looking forward to the role of administrator, promising that he will work round the clock with the players, coaches and the team owners. Sreejesh took up the new role during the launch of the Delhi SG Pipers, an event that was graced by tennis great and SG Pipers CEO Mahesh Bhupathi.

Sreejesh confirmed at the event that he decided not to return to playing in the Hockey India League, which gets underway on December 28. Sreejesh said he decided that his playing days should end with the high of the Olympic medal.

"From player to administrative position, that’s a big step. I think he (Mahesh) made it really simple for me. He was like ‘Sree, help us develop hockey’. Ultimately, that’s what I wanted, that’s why I am here," Sreejesh said.

"For me, this job is not going to be really tough. I played this beautiful game for nearly 24 years. Now, I am trying to help the game grow.

"They mentioned I am the director, but I can assure you I am not going to be there in a suit. For the coaches, I will be an assistant coach, for the players, I am going to be a mentor. For the goalkeepers, I am going to be a senior mentor. I will be there with the team 24*7. With my experience, my knowledge, I will try to do whatever I can to help them.

"We have planned things for the future — the player development program, the scouting program. I had these things in mind when I was thinking about promoting hockey at the grass roots level. I believe this is the right platform for me," he added.

Sreejesh had reportedly pulled out of the player auction of the HIL earlier in the month, informing his decision to Hockey India president Dilip Tikey. Sreejesh will reunite with former India coach Graham Reid, who was announced as the head coach of the men’s team of Delhi SG Pipers. Sreejesh retired from competitive hockey after winning his second Olympic medal - a bronze with the men’s hockey team in Paris

Hockey India League returns after 7 years

Hockey India announced the return of the HIL after a 7-year absence on Friday. The HIL will feature 8 men’s teams and 6 women’s teams for the upcoming seasons, which will run from December 28 to February 5. The men’s leg of the tournament will be held in Rourkela while Ranchi will host the women’s tournament.

The International Hockey Federation has allocated a dedicated 35-day window for the HIL and they have been given sanction from the world body for a period of 10 years. The player auction for the HIL will be held in New Delhi from October 13-15. This will see the players being given base prices of 2, 5 and 10 lakh.