Concerns over traditional colours
The decision to adopt saffron as the primary jersey colour for the Indian hockey team in the upcoming World Cup has drawn criticism from former captains Pargat Singh and Dhanraj Pillay. Both former players have highlighted that the blue jersey has long been a defining characteristic of the team’s identity. The debate began following Hockey India‘s unveiling of the new kit for both the men’s and women’s teams, ahead of the tournament scheduled to commence on August 15 in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Dhanraj Pillay, who participated in 339 international matches, including four Olympics, four World Cups, and four Champions Trophy tournaments, stated that the blue jersey has been associated with Indian hockey for decades. He noted that while saffron is a significant and auspicious colour, being part of the National Flag, it has not traditionally been the colour of Indian hockey. He expressed confusion regarding the sudden change after many years.
Pillay recalled that teams from the 1928 Olympic team through the eras of Dhyan Chand, Balbir Singh Sr., Mohammad Shahid, and Zafar Iqbal, including the 1980 Moscow Olympic gold medal-winning side, all competed in blue jerseys. He mentioned that throughout his own nearly 15-year career, the jersey remained blue. He emphasized that players identify with the traditional colours of their national team, distinguishing it from franchise tournaments like the IPL or Hockey India League, where teams wear various colours. The only exception he recalled was a yellow shirt with blue shorts worn against Argentina during the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
Arguments against the change
Pargat Singh was more critical of the decision, suggesting a broader trend of “saffronisation” affecting education, history, and now sports. He voiced concern that such thinking could enter sports, which he believes should unite people beyond religion, caste, and politics. Singh also dismissed Hockey India‘s explanation that the change was made to improve visibility on blue astro turf, stating he had never encountered such an issue. He questioned why, if visibility were a concern, only saffron was chosen among other potential options.
Both Pillay and Singh rejected the argument that the change was necessary due to hockey being played on blue astro turf. Pillay pointed out that teams have played on blue turf for several years without any reported problems related to jersey colour, questioning if the FIH had issued any directives regarding difficulties with blue jerseys. Pargat Singh further dismissed the claim that the decision was based on feedback from players and coaches, stating that players and coaches typically do not make such recommendations. He highlighted that the FIH already has the team’s jersey colours registered and reiterated that the blue jersey is the established identity of the Indian hockey team.
Pargat Singh underscored that generations of Indian players, from historical figures to the current squad, have represented the country in blue. He noted that iconic photographs of Indian hockey consistently show players in blue, and even during their playing days, training was conducted in blue, solidifying its status as the identity of Indian hockey. He also mentioned that while India traditionally had a white change kit, the saffron jersey is now registered as the primary strip, a decision for which he sees no logical basis. Hockey India, however, has maintained that the decision considered technical feedback from coaches and players, as well as the symbolic value of saffron as a colour in the National Flag.
Former India captain Viren Rasquinha has also expressed reservations regarding the move.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
