India's men's and women's hockey teams will take the field in saffron jerseys instead of their iconic blue at the Hockey World Cup, which begins on August 15 in Belgium and the Netherlands. The change has triggered criticism on social media, with some alleging a political motive. However, Hockey India has rejected those claims and explained the reason behind the decision. Since 1928, India's hockey teams have worn different shades of blue or white at almost every major tournament. The move to saffron marks a break from a tradition that has been part of the team's identity for nearly a century.
Hockey India said in a statement: “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.”
“In light of the above, the coaches and players suggested alternative colours such as yellow or saffron. After careful consideration, saffron was finalised. Apart from addressing the technical requirement, saffron also holds deep significance as one of the colours of our National Flag, symbolising courage, sacrifice and national pride.”
Blue has remained deeply associated with Indian sport for decades and has become a key part of the country's sporting identity. The cricket teams are popularly known as the 'Men in Blue' and 'Women in Blue', while the hockey team has worn blue at successive Olympic and World Cup campaigns, with the lone exception coming in 2014, when it switched to yellow because of a sponsor commitment.
Former Odisha CM voices concern over jersey switch
Former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has strongly criticised the decision to change the Indian hockey team's jersey colour from blue to saffron. Widely regarded as one of the biggest supporters of Indian hockey during his tenure, Patnaik voiced his disappointment in a post on X.“It has deeply hurt the sentiments of lakhs of sports lovers across the country and the pride with which Odisha has supported the national hockey,” Patnaik said.
“For decades, this colour united us in hope, in victory, in defeat and in the pursuit of sporting excellence. We have cried, laughed, celebrated and stood proudly with our men and women in blue. Wearing the blue jersey, our teams have won Olympic medals with the national anthem playing on the world stage.” he added
The former CM has been credited with helping Odisha become the long-time sponsor of the national hockey teams at a time when the sport was searching for financial backing. He has accused the BJP-led Odisha government of bringing politics into a sport that has long united the country. He said the decision had hurt the emotions of hockey fans and undermined the pride with which Odisha has backed the national teams over the years.
“When the national hockey teams were struggling for sponsors, Odisha created history by being the first and only State to support our national teams and our beloved game. 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. Just because the government changed in Odisha, it should not change our national team colours,” Patnaik stated.
Patnaik also stressed that the colour blue draws its significance from the Ashoka Chakra on the Indian national flag, calling it a symbol of national pride that belongs to every Indian. However, Hockey India has denied all these allegations and have given their standpoint.
