New Delhi: Legendary Indian hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh was unveiled as the director of Hockey for SG Sports who owns both Delhi men’s and women’s teams in the upcoming Hockey India League 2024.

Sreejesh, who retired after winning the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics in August, will act as the head of hockey for Delhi SG Pipers and guide both teams in the league.

“Until August I was a player and now in a completely different set-up. And I couldn’t have asked for anything better. I want to develop the Indian hockey,” Sreejesh told Read on the sidelines of the announcement of his new role.

“As the director of hockey, my role will be to help the young players and help my both teams,” he added further.

SG Sports, the sports arm of APL Apollo Tubes Private Limited, has brought men’s and women’s teams of Delhi naming them Delhi SG Pipers.

While many fans were expecting that Sreejesh would be back on hockey turf playing in HIL, SG Sports CEO Mahesh Bhupathi said that a couple of calls were enough to convince him.

“I was there watching the bronze medal match in the Paris Olympics. I decided to call him and ask if he was interested. I told him it’s better to develop the next generation of Indian hockey than playing just one or two seasons of HIL given you are retired and he agreed,” Mahesh said about Sreejesh’s appointment.

Along with PR Sreejesh, Delhi SG Pipers have roped former Indian hockey coach Graham Reid as the head coach of the men’s team and Dutch analytical coach Dave Smolenaars as the head coach of the women’s team.

Shivendra Singh, Tushar Khandekar, and Ankitha BS will also join the coaching staff.

Hockey India League 2024 will be played in two venues- Ranchi and Rourkela with the women’s tournament being hosted in Ranchi and the men’s tournament in Rourkela.

The league will commence on the 28th of December 2024 and end on the 1st of February 2025. The auctions are scheduled from 13th October to 15th October.