Indian hockey team to wear blue jersey again at Asian Games, saffron row ends

The controversy over the Indian hockey team's saffron jersey, which had been simmering for the past few months, now appears to be settling down. Both the Indian men's and women's hockey teams will take the field in their traditional blue jerseys at the upcoming Asian Games. Team India is returning to blue once again.

The Indian team had worn saffron-coloured jerseys during the FIH World Cup held in the Netherlands and Belgium, which sparked a major controversy. At the time, the reason given for changing the jersey was that wearing blue jerseys on the blue turf could make it difficult to identify players.

Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey, clarifying the entire situation regarding the Asian Games, said that the Indian Olympic Association had asked for preferences on the team's kit colours, and Hockey India had chosen blue as its first preference, with saffron as the second choice. Tirkey also said that even before the World Cup, he had made it clear that the saffron colour of the jersey was not permanent and could be changed later. He said the Indian team would play in blue jerseys at the Asian Games.

Just before the World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium, controversy had erupted over the Indian hockey team's jersey colour being changed from the traditional blue to saffron. At the time, Tirkey had questioned the entire process, claiming that the decision was taken without his knowledge or that of the executive board, which further fuelled the controversy. The reason given for the change was that playing in blue jerseys on the blue turf would be difficult for players. Several former Indian hockey greats had also questioned the decision to change the jersey colour at the time. Former captains Viren Rasquinha, Pargat Singh, Dhanraj Pillay and Ajit Pal Singh had objected to the saffron jersey. The matter later also turned into a political controversy.

The Indian men's team's performance at the World Cup was disappointing, and the team had to settle for eighth place. The women's team, on the other hand, finished fifth, their best World Cup performance since 1974. The Indian teams now have their sights set on the Asian Games. The tournament will also offer an important opportunity to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Performance at the Asian Games will therefore be crucial for both the Indian men's and women's teams.