Hockey India President Tirkey says saffron jersey decision bypassed him

The controversy over the Indian hockey team's new saffron jerseys has deepened, with Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey stating that the decision was taken without his knowledge or approval. In an internal email to HI officials, Tirkey said the change was not placed before the Executive Board for discussion, and he has sought a written clarification from the concerned officials.

The Indian men's and women's teams, traditionally dressed in blue, are set to wear saffron kits at the upcoming World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium, beginning August 15. The announcement on July 27 drew sharp criticism from former players including Vasudevan Bhaskaran, Viren Rasquinha, Ajit Pal Singh, and Pargat Singh, who questioned the move and said it would erode the team's identity built over decades.

Until Thursday, Hockey India, including Tirkey, had maintained that the change was a technical decision to avoid visual confusion with the blue turf used in the tournament. The body said the similarity in colour affected "on-field clarity and visibility for the players."

However, in his internal email, Tirkey stated: "The decision was taken without being placed before the Executive Board for discussion and without my prior knowledge." He added, "I request the concerned HI officials to provide me with a written clarification at the earliest, outlining the basis for the decision, the process followed, and the circumstances under which the change was approved and implemented."

The clarification has also been sought by the Odisha government, the primary sponsor of the team. Tirkey noted in the email, "I have also been asked by the Government of Odisha to provide clarification regarding the matter. I therefore request the concerned Hockey India officials to provide me with a written clarification at the earliest, which will enable me to respond appropriately and accurately."

Hockey India secretary Bhola Nath Singh, however, defended the decision, saying it was implemented after due consultation with players and coaches. "The decision to change the colour was circulated in our internal group, so all officials should be aware about it. We never thought it would be such a big issue. There was no outside pressure on us from anywhere to make the colour change. It is being unnecessarily politicised," Singh told PTI.

When asked whether Hockey India would reconsider the decision, Singh said, "I alone can't take decisions; there is a president and other office-bearers, we need to sit and discuss. At the end of the day it was the demand of players and coaches and we obliged. The players and coaches also need to be spoken to."

Tirkey, in his email, explained that his earlier public stance was to avoid controversy ahead of the World Cup. "The matter has since attracted considerable media attention and unfortunately political interpretation in certain quarters. With the WC approaching, I have publicly clarified that the change was purely a sporting decision so that the focus remains on the team and its preparations," he wrote.

He clarified that his concern is not with the colour itself but with the process. "My concern is not with the choice of saffron itself. A decision of this significance, involving the identity and representation of our national team, should ideally have been discussed with the elected leadership and the EB board members before implementation," he said. "This is not to attribute blame but to ensure transparency, accountability and adherence to our established decision-making processes going forward."

A source said HI officials have sent an email to the Odisha government on July 30 regarding the matter. The controversy comes at a critical time as the national team prepares for the World Cup, and the internal rift within Hockey India has raised questions about governance and decision-making in the sport's national body.