New Delhi: Under the guidance of former Olympian and two-time Chief Coach P.R. Sreejesh, India’s junior hockey team—three-time champions in 2013, 2014, and 2022—will compete in the 13th Sultan of Johor Cup from October 11 to 18, aiming to reclaim the title. Historically, Britain holds the record with four titles, while India has finished as runners-up four times (2012, 2015, 2018, 2019) and claimed bronze twice (2023, 2024).
The Indian team’s campaign begins against Britain on October 11, followed by matches against New Zealand on October 12, Pakistan on October 14, Australia on October 15, and the host nation Malaysia on October 17.
Speaking ahead of the tournament, Coach P.R. Sreejesh said:
“We respect every team in this tournament, but our focus is on playing our brand of hockey. Our players are determined to uphold our tradition and bring the Sultan of Johor Cup trophy home. This tournament has always been special for us, as many of our senior players have left their mark here. It provides young athletes the opportunity to test themselves against the best in the world and understand the rigors of consistent international performance.”
Sreejesh added that the emphasis is on building a balanced team combining structure with creativity and discipline with aggression. “Our players have trained intensely for weeks and are fully committed. The Sultan of Johor Cup will also serve as an ideal preparation platform for the upcoming Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup, offering invaluable experience against top-level competition,” he said.
India enters the tournament with a mix of experience and youthful energy, aiming to continue its legacy on the international junior hockey stage.
