The Indian hockey teams will be back in their traditional blue jerseys at the upcoming Asian Games, bringing an end to the much-debated switch to an orange kit.
The change comes after Hockey India (HI) faced strong criticism over its decision to move away from the team’s familiar blue colour. The orange jerseys were worn by the Indian teams during the FIH World Cups in the Netherlands and Belgium.
The jersey change also led to differences within Hockey India. Federation president Dilip Tirkey had publicly questioned the decision, saying the change was made without informing him or getting approval from the elected leadership and Executive Board.
Speaking to The Daily Jagran on the sidelines of the send-off ceremony for India’s Asian Games contingent, Tirkey said blue had been selected as the first preference for the upcoming tournament.
‘Blue was our first choice’
Tirkey said the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) had given Hockey India a few options for the team colours, with blue eventually being chosen ahead of orange.
“The IOA gave us different options for the kit, and Hockey India selected blue as the first choice. Orange was kept as the second option,” Tirkey told The Daily Jagran.
He also clarified that the orange jersey was never meant to become the team’s permanent colour.
“I had already made it clear before the World Cup that orange was not a permanent change. The colour could be changed later. For the Asian Games, the team will return to blue,” he added.
Orange jersey had sparked controversy
The decision to change India’s hockey jersey from blue to orange before the World Cup had sparked a major debate. The issue soon took a political turn, with opposition parties questioning the government’s role in the decision.
The controversy grew further after Tirkey raised questions about the process followed by Hockey India. He said the decision had been taken without his knowledge and without the approval of the Executive Board.
At the time, the explanation for the change was that the traditional blue jersey could create visibility problems against the blue playing surface.
Several former India captains and hockey greats, including Viren Rasquinha, Pargat Singh, Dhanraj Pillay and Ajit Pal Singh, also expressed their reservations about the change.
Asian Games crucial for Olympic qualification
India’s men’s team had a disappointing campaign at the World Cup, finishing eighth. The women’s team, meanwhile, ended the tournament in fifth place, their best finish since 1974.
The Asian Games will now provide both Indian teams with an important opportunity to bounce back. The tournament is also significant because it offers a route to qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
With Olympic qualification and India’s standing in Asian hockey at stake, the return to the traditional blue jersey will be one of the notable changes when the teams take the field at the Asian Games.