The Indian hockey team’s decision to adopt saffron as its primary jersey colour for the upcoming World Cup has drawn criticism from former captains Pargat Singh and Dhanraj Pillay. Both expressed that the blue jersey has long been integral to the team’s identity. The World Cup is scheduled to commence on August 15 in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Dhanraj Pillay, who played in 339 international matches, including four Olympics and four World Cups, stated that the blue jersey has been associated with Indian hockey for decades. He acknowledged saffron’s significance as a colour of the national flag but noted it has not been a traditional colour for Indian hockey. He questioned the sudden change after many years, highlighting that teams from the 1928 Olympic team to the 1980 Moscow Olympic gold medal-winning side wore blue.
Pillay also dismissed the argument that the change was necessary due to hockey being played on blue astro turf. He mentioned that the team has played on blue turf for several years without issues and questioned if the FIH had issued any directives regarding difficulties with blue jerseys. He emphasised that national teams, unlike franchise tournaments, maintain traditional colours.
Concerns over politicisation and identity
Pargat Singh was more critical of the decision, suggesting that “everything in the country is being saffronised,” including education, history, and now sports. He voiced concern that such thinking could enter sports, which he believes should unite people and transcend religion, caste, and politics. Singh also rejected Hockey India’s explanation that the change aimed to improve visibility on blue turf, stating he had never experienced such a problem and questioning why only saffron was chosen if visibility was a concern.
Singh further dismissed the claim that the decision was based on feedback from players and coaches. He asserted that players and coaches typically do not make such recommendations and that the FIH already has India’s jersey colours registered. He stressed that the Indian hockey team’s identity has always been the blue jersey, with generations of players representing the country in blue. He added that while India traditionally had a white change kit, the saffron jersey is now registered as the primary strip, finding no logical reason for this decision.
Former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also expressed strong disapproval, calling the switch from blue to saffron “petty politics” and an attempt to erase India’s sporting legacy. He alleged that the change was made under pressure from the BJP government in Odisha, politicising a national game. Patnaik highlighted that the blue jersey is not just a colour but an emotion linked to the nation’s sporting heritage, uniting people through victories and defeats.
Hockey India, in unveiling the new jersey, stated that the design and colour are intended to “tell a story” and carry “India’s pride.” They explained that saffron symbolises courage, sacrifice, and victory, and is inspired by the Indian national flag and the rising sun, reflecting new beginnings. Patnaik recalled that Odisha became the first state to sponsor the national hockey teams when they were struggling for sponsors, and that the blue jersey is to India what the iconic stripes are to Argentina and the yellow jersey is to Brazil.
Hockey India’s defence
Despite the criticism, Hockey India has maintained that the decision was made after considering technical feedback from coaches and players. They also cited the symbolic value of saffron as a colour present in the National Flag. Former India captain Viren Rasquinha has also expressed reservations regarding the change. The new saffron jerseys will be worn by both the men’s and women’s hockey teams at the upcoming FIH World Cup.
Naveen Patnaik, who was a school hockey team goalkeeper, emphasised that the blue colour is derived from the blue chakra in the national flag, symbolising national pride and identity. He stated that the colour blue belongs to every Indian. The FIH World Cup is set to begin on August 15.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
