Sports

IIE DIGITAL: Hockey India has broken its silence over the controversy surrounding the Indian men's and women's hockey teams' new saffron jerseys, clarifying that the decision was based on technical considerations rather than symbolism alone. The governing body said the change was introduced to improve players' visibility on modern blue synthetic hockey turfs ahead of the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup.

The debate began after Hockey India unveiled the new kits on July 27, revealing that both national teams would wear saffron as their primary jersey at the World Cup, scheduled to be held in the Netherlands and Belgium. The announcement triggered mixed reactions online, with several fans questioning the departure from India's traditional blue colours.

Among those who voiced concerns was former India captain Viren Rasquinha, who said the issue was about preserving the team's identity and legacy. As discussions gained momentum on social media, Rasquinha later clarified that his comments should not be viewed through a political lens. Instead, he stressed that iconic sporting nations are often recognised by their traditional colours, citing Argentina's football team as an example.

In a detailed statement, Hockey India explained that the blue jersey often blended with the blue artificial playing surface commonly used in international hockey, making it difficult for players to distinguish teammates during fast-paced matches. Following extensive consultations with coaches, support staff and players, alternative colours—including yellow and saffron—were considered before saffron was selected.

According to the federation, saffron not only provides stronger visual contrast on the field but also carries national significance as one of the three colours of the Indian flag, representing courage, sacrifice and pride.

Hockey India also rejected suggestions that the change was unprecedented. The federation noted that Team India has worn different colours at previous World Cups, including yellow in 2014 and sky blue in 2018, highlighting that jersey modifications have been made in the past to meet functional requirements.

Reaffirming its decision, Hockey India said the new jersey reflects a balance between practical sporting needs and national identity, with the primary objective being to enhance player performance through better on-field visibility.

I’m seeing many unnecessary political comments on this. I don’t want to get into any of that. My simple & humble point is on pride, identity & legacy.

🇮🇳 is to 🏑 what Argentina is to Football. Will we ever see Argentina wearing Orange and White stripes as their 1st jersey? https://t.co/lAnu2gOR7y

— Viren Rasquinha (@virenrasquinha) July 30, 2026