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By Ishaan Kapoor — 30 July 2026 — 3 min read

Concerns over jersey colour change

Naveen Patnaik, the former Chief Minister of Odisha and president of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), has criticised the decision to change the Indian hockey team’s jersey colour from its traditional blue to saffron. He stated that this change has affected the emotions of sports fans. The Indian men’s and women’s hockey teams are scheduled to wear saffron jerseys instead of their customary blue kits at the upcoming FIH World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium.

Hockey India unveiled the new jersey on its social media platforms, explaining that the design and colour are intended to “tell a story” and embody “India’s pride.” The federation mentioned that saffron symbolises courage, sacrifice, and victory, and that the design, inspired by the Indian national flag and the rising sun, “reflects new beginnings.”

Political allegations and sporting heritage

Patnaik, who was a goalkeeper for his school hockey team, highlighted the blue jersey’s significance to Indian hockey for decades. He described the iconic blue shade as more than just a colour, calling it an emotion linked to the nation’s sporting heritage that has united the country in various moments of sporting pursuit. He also connected the blue jersey to the blue chakra in the national flag, identifying it as a symbol of national pride and identity that belongs to every Indian.

He recalled that Odisha became the sponsor of the Indian hockey team approximately a decade ago when the national teams were seeking sponsors. Patnaik alleged that the decision to change the jersey colour was made under pressure from the BJP government in Odisha. He condemned what he described as an attempt by BJP Odisha to politicise a national sport like hockey, stating it has hurt the sentiments of many sports enthusiasts.

Former India Hockey Captain and Congress MLA Pargat Singh also criticised the change, attributing it to the BJP’s alleged agenda to ‘saffronise’ everything and divert attention from genuine sports development. He emphasised that sports should remain free from political and social divisions, promoting brotherhood and sportsmanship. Singh stated that the government’s focus should be on improving sports infrastructure and providing better facilities for athletes.

Pargat Singh, speaking to ANI, suggested that the move reflects the BJP’s mindset of assigning a specific colour to everything. He urged the government to move away from what he termed a “petty mindset” and concentrate on promoting athletes and expanding sports infrastructure. Other prominent figures, including former captain Viren Rasquinha and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, have also questioned the decision regarding the jersey colour.

Patnaik drew parallels between India’s blue jersey and other iconic football shirts, stating that the blue jersey is to India what the iconic stripes are to Argentina and the yellow jersey is to Brazil. He added that any alteration to this colour is an attempt to erase a priceless sporting legacy, asserting that national symbols are meant to unite, not divide. The FIH World Cup will feature the Indian hockey team in their new saffron jerseys.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com