Hockey Jersey Row Returns: India Wear Saffron At Asian Games Despite President’s Blue Assurance
The hockey jersey controversy surrounding India has returned at the Asian Games, with both the men’s and women’s teams wearing saffron kits in their opening matches on Sunday. This came despite Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey saying before the Games that India would return to its traditional blue jerseys. India had first worn saffron during last month’s World Cup in Belgium and the…
The hockey jersey controversy has resurfaced at the Asian Games 2026, as both India's men's and women's teams wore saffron kits during their opening matches. This happened despite Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey stating prior to the Games that India would revert to their traditional blue uniforms. India had previously worn saffron during last month's World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands.
The decision to switch colors sparked controversy after Tirkey claimed it had been made without the knowledge or approval of Hockey India's elected leadership and Executive Board.
The Indian men's team started their Asian Games campaign with a significant 13-1 victory over Indonesia. The jersey issue soon became a part of a larger dispute within Hockey India, with Tirkey and secretary Bhola Nath Singh holding opposing views on the change. Singh is believed to be the person who pushed for the introduction of the new color.
Before the Asian Games, Tirkey had stated that the decision on the team kit colors had been made by Hockey India. During the send-off ceremony for the Indian contingent, he revealed that Hockey India had selected blue as the first-choice kit, with orange being the second option. However, India did not wear blue in their opening matches.
The men's team donned saffron against Indonesia, while the women's team played in saffron against Uzbekistan in Kakamilgahara, Japan.
A Hockey India source revealed to PTI that the Asian Games kits were always intended to include saffron along with white and sky blue. The source also claimed that these kits had been approved by Tirkey himself. The primary reason cited for the color change is visibility, as blue jerseys can reportedly blend in against the blue playing surface.
India has historically worn blue, a color closely associated with the national hockey teams since their Olympic debut in 1928. The ongoing controversy surrounding the jerseys has once again drawn attention to Hockey India's internal decision-making process.
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Also reported by 1 other outlet
- Hockey India's 'blue' promise goes up in smoke; Indian teams wear saffron at Asiad timesofindia.indiatimes.com
