Saffron vs blue: Hockey jersey colour change sparks row, Hockey India cites visibility
New Delhi: The Indian men's and women's hockey teams are set to wear saffron jerseys at next month's FIH World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium, replacing their traditional blue kits. The change has drawn criticism from former players and a sharp rebuke from Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal, even as Hockey India defended it as a technical necessity.
In a post on X, Sibal described the move as "another low, not seen before," questioning the logic behind the shift. "FIH Hockey World Cup: Teams traditional: Blue Jersey Turns Saffron! Neither the Hockey India President nor the Executive Board knew," he wrote. He added, "Logic: If the jersey is saffron, the mind may turn saffron! Another low, not seen before!"
Unveiling the jersey on its social media pages, Hockey India said the design and colour were meant to "tell a story" and carry "India's pride," and were finalised after consultations with players and support staff. The body said saffron symbolises courage, sacrifice and victory, and no external pressure guided its decision.
Addressing the criticism, Hockey India issued a statement explaining the technical rationale. "It was observed that the blue playing uniform tended to blend/merge with the blue synthetic playing surface, which is now the standard colour of international hockey pitches. This visual similarity affected on-field clarity and visibility for the players," the statement said.
The explanation has not convinced former captains such as Viren Rasquinha, who questioned the logic behind the move. Other former players, including Vasudevan Bhaskaran, Ajit Pal Singh, and Pargat Singh, also expressed concern that the change could affect the team's identity built over decades.
Adding to the controversy, Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey said the decision was taken without his knowledge. However, Secretary Bhola Nath Singh contradicted him, insisting that "all officials were aware" of the change. The discrepancy has raised questions about internal communication within the sport's governing body.
The Indian hockey team has traditionally worn blue jerseys, and the colour has become synonymous with the team's identity on the international stage. The decision to switch to saffron, even for a single tournament, has sparked a debate about whether tradition or practicality should prevail.
Hockey India has maintained that the change is temporary and aimed at improving player performance. The upcoming World Cup is a major event for the Indian teams, and the focus will be on their performance on the pitch, regardless of the colour of their jerseys.
