'World Cup Is Not A Rehearsal': PR Sreejesh Slams Hockey Federation After India's Double Exit, Demands Accountability

Former India hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has criticized the Hockey Federation for a lack of accountability following India's double exit from the Hockey World Cup. In a forceful post on X, Sreejesh questioned whether the World Cup should be viewed as a mere learning opportunity and whether India is genuinely serious about competing against the best teams globally. He reiterated that the focus shouldn't simply transition to the upcoming Asian Games and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics after the team's exits.

Sreejesh queried whether merely winning a medal at the Asian Games would suffice to address the issues that arose during the World Cup. He pointed out that simply saying "don't worry, the World Cup doesn't matter; the Asian Games are coming. Win a medal there, and then we can dream about LA 2028" is insufficient to rectify all the problems encountered during the World Cup.

Moreover, Sreejesh raised concerns about the Indian women's team and the unexpected holiday taken by the chief coach just before the World Cup. He commended the players for their efforts and surpassing expectations but questioned the accountability when the chief coach was away during the final preparations. Sreejesh acknowledged the players' hard-fought battles but emphasized the need for accountability when the chief coach was absent during the critical stage of preparation.

The Indian men's team suffered a 3-5 defeat against Argentina in their last Pool E match at the FIH Hockey World Cup, thus failing to qualify for the semi-finals. Sukhjeet Singh scored twice, while Hardik Singh added a third goal for India. Sreejesh also questioned the manner in which the men's team's results are perceived, asserting that losses against top teams are often labeled as "learning experiences," while victories against Asian teams are hailed as "great victories."

He inquired whether India is cultivating a team capable of merely playing good hockey or one that can actually defeat the world's best teams. Chief Coach Craig Fulton responded to the Indian men's team's Pool E clash against Argentina at the FIH Hockey World Cup.

In conclusion, Sreejesh made a strong statement, asserting that the World Cup is not a rehearsal and demanded answers about accountability and who genuinely cares. He highlighted the need for a thorough review of the teams' performances and preparation following their disappointing exits from the World Cup.