Saffron jersey row deepens: Players deny consultation as Hockey India bosses contradict each other

Players and Hockey India Leadership Clash Over Saffron Jersey Decision

Bharatmorningnews.com – A significant dispute has emerged within Indian hockey following the announcement that both men’s and women’s national teams will wear saffron-colored kits instead of their traditional blue at the upcoming FIH Hockey World Cup. The tournament is scheduled to begin on August 15 across Belgium and the Netherlands.

Conflicting Accounts of Consultation

Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey has publicly distanced himself from the jersey change, revealing he was unaware of the decision before it was implemented. Meanwhile, several players have contradicted claims that they were consulted about the color switch.

According to an Indian Express report, five members from both the men’s and women’s squads stated they received no prior consultation. One anonymous team member told the publication:

“I wasn’t asked or consulted. It is not true.”

While none of these players claimed to represent the entire squad, the report indicated that any consultations that did occur were not unanimous.

Tirkey’s Formal Request for Clarification

In an internal email shared with PTI, the Hockey India president expressed his concerns about the process.

“The jersey change was carried out without being placed before the Executive Board for discussion and without my prior knowledge,”

Tirkey wrote in the communication.

The president further requested written documentation from relevant officials.

“I request the concerned HI officials to provide me with a written clarification at the earliest, outlining the basis for the decision, the process followed and the circumstances under which the change was approved and implemented,”

he stated.

Odisha Government Joins the Inquiry

As the principal sponsor of Indian hockey, the Odisha government has requested an explanation regarding the controversy. Tirkey confirmed this development:

“I have also been asked by the Government of Odisha to provide clarification regarding the matter. I therefore request the concerned Hockey India officials to provide me with a written clarification at the earliest which will enable me to respond appropriately and accurately.”

Hockey India Secretary Defends the Process

Hockey India secretary Bhola Nath Singh rejected allegations of procedural errors, maintaining that proper consultation occurred.

“The decision to change the colour was circulated in our internal group, so all officials should be aware about it. We never thought it would become such a big issue. There was no outside pressure on us from anywhere to make the colour change. It is being unnecessarily politicised,”

Singh told PTI.

When questioned about potential reconsideration, Singh emphasized the collective nature of decision-making within the organization.

“I alone can’t take decisions. There is a president and other office-bearers, we need to sit and discuss. At the end of the day, it was the demand of players and coaches and we obliged.”

Technical Rationale and Historical Context

Hockey India maintained that the jersey change was purely technical rather than political. Officials argued that the traditional blue color blended with blue synthetic turf surfaces, creating visibility challenges for players trying to identify teammates during matches.

India’s men’s captain Harmanpreet Singh supported the decision in a RevSportz interview, dismissing political interpretations.

“We are not paying much attention to these things. It was a collective decision by the team and the coaches. There was no mistake in it,”

Harmanpreet explained.

The Indian hockey team has predominantly worn various shades of blue or white at major international competitions since 1982. The new saffron kit was officially unveiled on Hockey India’s social media platforms on July 27.

Former Captains Voice Concerns

Several legendary former India captains have publicly questioned the decision. Vasudevan Bhaskaran, Viren Rasquinha, Ajit Pal Singh, and Pargat Singh all raised concerns about both the reasoning behind abandoning the traditional blue and the potential impact on the team’s identity.

The controversy highlights ongoing governance challenges within Indian hockey as the sport prepares for one of its most important tournaments in recent years.

Aratrick Mondal is a senior sports journalist based in New Delhi. In his eight years as a sports writer, Aratrick has worked at leading media organisations, including The Times of India, Times Now, Zee, India TV and currently works at a senior position at Hindustan Times Digital. He writes on cricket, football, pickleball and tennis, among other sports.