Hockey
Sreejesh and Graham Reid set to reunite at HIL's Delhi franchise
PR Sreejesh has been roped in as a brand ambassador and won't be part of the player auctions.
PR Sreejesh announced his retirement from hockey while at the Paris Olympics in August, 2024. (Photo credit: Getty)
With the Hockey India League returning with eight men's and six women's teams, legendary Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh will also return to hockey turf but in a different role.
While many were expecting him to feature between the goalposts, the Indian maverick will return but as the brand ambassador of the Delhi franchise set to feature in the upcoming league.
The 36-year-old goalkeeper announced his retirement after winning a second bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics and was handed the reigns of the junior Indian men’s team. The role, however, awaits the final approval from SAI and the sports ministry.
With his new role involving him in guiding the team during the league, it effectively means that Sreejesh will not be part of the player-auction scheduled in the latter half of the month.
"Yes, PR Sreejesh won't be part of the auctions as he has been roped into a different role with one of the franchises of the upcoming Hockey India League," a source close to the development told The Bridge.
The announcement of his new role is expected soon with auction dates for HIL coming close.
Graham Reid to coach
Along with Sreejesh, The Bridge can confirm that the Delhi franchise has roped in India's former coach Graham Reid as the head coach of the franchise.
Graham Reid is credited for the revival of Indian hockey for orchestrating India’s first podium finish in 41 years at the Tokyo Olympics.
The Delhi franchise has been bought by SG Sports Ventures which is owned by APL Apollo Tubes Limited.
The venture is expected to launch both men's and women's teams.
SG Sports Ventures already has its teams in the Global Chess League (Alpine SG Pipers) and Ultimate Table Tennis (Ahmedabad SG Pipers).
The Hockey India League is returning after a hiatus of seven years and will be played in an FIH-sanctioned window from December 2024 to the first week of February 2025.
Players from top 15 countries have been invited to the tournament by Hockey India and an announcement regarding the teams and auctions is expected tomorrow.
