Indian Hockey Is Blue Again: Saffron To Be ‘Secondary’ Jersey Colour For Asian Games

Last Updated:September 08, 2026, 5:52 PM IST

Hockey India reversed its decision, making blue the primary colour and saffron secondary for the 2026 Asian Games kit, as informed to IOA.

India’s old blue hockey color. (Picture Credit: AFP)

Hockey India (HI) seems to have reversed its decision to change the national primary colours to saffron. HI reportedly informed the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) that the team’s first colour would be blue, with saffron relegated to secondary, for the upcoming 2026 Asian Games.

“The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) asked us for our preferred choice of kit, and HI has given the first preference as blue, with the secondary colour being saffron,” HI treasurer Shekar Manoharan said on Tuesday.

HI had announced the jersey colour change to Saffron in the lead-up to the FIH Hockey World Cup in August, which led to national furor.

The governing body said the decision was based on technical feedback, claiming that said the players and coaches felt that wearing blue jerseys on the usual blue turf for matches affected visibility during matches. It said that players had advised yellow and orange as options for the colours, and HI picked the latter because of its significance in the Indian national flag.

Several former India captains, including Pargat Singh, Dhanraj Pillay and Viren Rasquinha, questioned both the break from the team’s long-standing identity. It led to a political storm as well, with former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who is praised for supporting Indian hockey, strongly condemning the change as politically motivated.

It was soon revealed that HI President Dilip Tirkey, in his internal emails, had stated that the decision was made without his knowledge or consultation with the Executive Board.

India’s men finished eighth at the World Cup, while the women recorded their best-ever finish at the tournament by securing fifth place. Ironically, teams like England and the Netherlands, both wearing light-blue kits on the blue turfs in Belgium, enjoyed success over the Indians.

Earlier on Tuesday, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya held a review meeting on Monday with men’s coach Craig Fulton, captain Harmanpreet Singh, women’s coach Sjoerd Marijne, captain Salima Tete and HI officials at the Sports Authority of India headquarters. He urged both teams to move on from the campaigns and focus on securing qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics through the Asian Games.

Quick Answers

Powered by

Ask News18

Why did Hockey India initially change the national team’s primary jersey color to saffron for the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup?

Hockey India stated the decision was based on technical feedback from players and coaches, who felt blue jerseys on blue turf affected visibility. They considered yellow and orange, choosing saffron due to its significance in the Indian national flag.

What was the outcome of the jersey color change controversy for the Indian hockey team’s 2026 Asian Games kit?

Hockey India reversed its decision, informing the Indian Olympic Association that blue would be the primary color for the 2026 Asian Games, with saffron relegated to secondary.

Who criticized Hockey India’s decision to change the jersey color to saffron, and what were their main concerns?

Several former India captains, including Pargat Singh, Dhanraj Pillay, and Viren Rasquinha, questioned the break from the team’s long-standing identity. Former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also condemned the change as politically motivated.

Powered by

Ask News18

Read More