Saffron Jersey Chosen for Visibility, Not Politics, Says Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey

Hockey India says players and coaches sought better visibility on blue turf, with saffron selected over yellow ahead of the 2026 Hockey World Cup.

Bhubaneswar, July 30, 2026:

Hockey India President Dilip Kumar Tirkey has defended the decision to introduce saffron as the primary jersey colour for the Indian men’s and women’s hockey teams, stating that the move was driven by technical requirements raised by players and coaches rather than any other consideration.

The new jerseys have been unveiled ahead of the FIH Men’s and Women’s Hockey World Cups, scheduled to begin on August 14 and 15 in the Netherlands and Belgium.

Addressing the debate surrounding the change, Tirkey said the recommendation came after discussions with the team’s coaching staff, support personnel and players, who highlighted difficulties in distinguishing teammates while playing on the now-standard blue synthetic hockey turf.

According to Tirkey, the traditional blue playing kit often blended with the colour of the field, reducing visual contrast during fast-paced matches. To improve on-field visibility, the team suggested replacing the primary jersey with either yellow or saffron.

He said Hockey India evaluated both options before deciding on saffron, noting that it is also one of the three colours featured in the Indian national flag. The governing body believes the change not only addresses the technical issue but also reflects national identity.

Tirkey clarified that the decision is not permanent and remains open to review. If players believe another colour works better after the World Cup, Hockey India is willing to reconsider the design and make necessary changes in future tournaments.

He also pointed out that India’s hockey jersey has undergone multiple changes over the years based on functional requirements. The national team previously wore yellow during the 2014 Hockey World Cup, while a sky-blue design was introduced for the 2018 edition.

Meanwhile, Hockey India issued an official statement reiterating that the colour change followed detailed consultations with players and the support staff. The federation said improving player visibility on blue hockey pitches was the primary objective behind adopting the saffron jersey.

The statement added that saffron was selected after careful consideration because it met the technical requirements while also carrying symbolic significance as a colour of the Indian national flag, representing courage, sacrifice and national pride.

The jersey change has sparked public discussion, with some political leaders and former players questioning the move. However, Hockey India has maintained that the decision was made solely in the interest of player performance and on-field effectiveness.