India’s men’s and women’s hockey teams will return to their traditional blue jerseys for the upcoming Asian Games, Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey has confirmed, bringing an end — at least for the Asian Games — to the controversy surrounding the team’s recent switch to saffron.
The Indian teams had worn saffron-coloured kits during the FIH World Cups in the Netherlands and Belgium, prompting criticism from former players, sports figures and political leaders.
Tirkey said blue had been selected as the Indian team’s preferred kit colour after the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) sought choices from Hockey India.
“The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) had asked us to give the preferred choice regarding the team kit colours and Hockey India selected blue as the first choice for the Indian team’s kit. Orange will be the second choice,” Tirkey told PTI on the sidelines of the send-off ceremony for India’s Asian Games-bound contingent.
“I had stated even before the World Cup that the orange jersey colour was not permanent, it could be changed in the future. Now, blue is back for the Asian Games. The team will play in blue jerseys,” he added.
Why was India’s hockey jersey changed to saffron?
The change from blue to orange before the World Cup had triggered considerable debate. The stated rationale was that the traditional blue kit could create visibility issues against blue playing surfaces.
However, the decision also became a political issue after Tirkey publicly questioned the process, saying the change had been made without the knowledge or approval of Hockey India’s elected leadership and Executive Board.
Several former India players and captains, including Viren Rasquinha, Pargat Singh, Dhanraj Pillay and Ajit Pal Singh, also questioned the decision.
The controversy intensified after opposition parties criticised the colour change and linked it to the alleged politicisation of a national sporting symbol.
Naveen Patnaik criticises saffron jersey decision
The jersey controversy also drew criticism from Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president and former Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik.
Patnaik alleged that changing the traditional blue jersey was an attempt to politicise a national sporting symbol and erase India’s sporting legacy.
Recalling India’s Olympic hockey achievements, Patnaik said the men’s and women’s teams had won medals while wearing blue jerseys, with the national anthem playing at major international events.
He also linked blue to the Ashoka Chakra on the national flag and described the colour as a symbol of national identity.
“The colour blue belongs to every Indian,” Patnaik said.
Odisha’s hockey connection highlighted
Patnaik also recalled Odisha’s longstanding association with Indian hockey.
He said Odisha had stepped in as the first and only sponsor of India’s men’s and women’s national hockey teams at a time when they were struggling to secure corporate backing.
“Every Odia across the globe was proud of the state’s gift to national hockey. After 41 long years, our men’s team won an Olympic medal,” he said.
Odisha has played a prominent role in supporting Indian hockey over the years, including backing the national teams and hosting major international tournaments.
Asian Games crucial for Olympic qualification
The return to blue comes ahead of an important assignment for Indian hockey.
The Asian Games will provide India’s teams with an opportunity to compete for continental honours while also pursuing qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
India’s men finished eighth at the recent World Cup, while the women’s team secured fifth place, their best World Cup finish since 1974.
With the Asian Games approaching, the focus will now shift from the jersey debate to performance on the field — with India once again set to take the blue kit into a major continental tournament.
