New Delhi, July 30 — Hockey India on Thursday issued a detailed clarification on the controversy surrounding the national team’s new saffron-coloured kit for the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup, stating that the colour was selected for both practical on-field reasons and its symbolic link to the Indian national flag.

The federation unveiled the saffron jersey earlier this week in place of the traditional blue kit for the tournament to be jointly hosted by the Netherlands and Belgium next month. The change quickly drew criticism, including from former India captain Viren Rasquinha, who questioned the departure from the team’s long-associated blue colours. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and 1983 World Cup-winning cricketer and Trinamool Congress MP Kirti Azad also publicly criticised the decision.

In its statement, Hockey India emphasised that the switch originated from within the national team setup after discussions with players and support staff. “We wish to inform you that the decision to change the uniform colour was based on support staff and players’ recommendations and detailed consultations with them. The primary consideration was technical. It was observed that the blue playing uniform tended to blend/merge with the blue synthetic playing surface, which is now the standard colour of international hockey pitches. This visual similarity affected on-field clarity and visibility for the players,” the federation said.

Coaches and players examined several alternatives before settling on the final choice. “In light of the above, the coaches and players suggested alternative colours such as yellow or saffron. After careful consideration, saffron was finalised,” the statement added.

Beyond the technical rationale, Hockey India highlighted the colour’s national resonance. “Apart from addressing the technical requirement, saffron also holds deep significance as one of the colours of our national flag, symbolising courage, sacrifice and national pride.”

The federation further noted that kit colour changes are not new in Indian hockey. It cited the 2014 FIH World Cup, when the team wore yellow, and the 2018 edition, when a sky-blue design was used. “It may also be noted that changes in jersey colour are not unprecedented in Indian hockey. From time to time, the national team’s playing kit colour has been modified as per functional and other requirements,” the statement said.

Hockey India concluded that the present shift to saffron balanced practical feedback from those preparing for the tournament with the symbolic value of a colour that appears on the national flag. The clarification aims to address public concerns while reaffirming that the decision was driven by performance considerations on modern blue synthetic pitches and the colour’s association with courage and national pride.

New Delhi, July 30 — Hockey India on Thursday issued a detailed clarification on the controversy surrounding the national team’s new saffron-coloured kit for the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup, stating that the colour was selected for both practical on-field reasons and its symbolic link to the Indian national flag.

The federation unveiled the saffron jersey earlier this week in place of the traditional blue kit for the tournament to be jointly hosted by the Netherlands and Belgium next month. The change quickly drew criticism, including from former India captain Viren Rasquinha, who questioned the departure from the team’s long-associated blue colours. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and 1983 World Cup-winning cricketer and Trinamool Congress MP Kirti Azad also publicly criticised the decision.

In its statement, Hockey India emphasised that the switch originated from within the national team setup after discussions with players and support staff. “We wish to inform you that the decision to change the uniform colour was based on support staff and players’ recommendations and detailed consultations with them. The primary consideration was technical. It was observed that the blue playing uniform tended to blend/merge with the blue synthetic playing surface, which is now the standard colour of international hockey pitches. This visual similarity affected on-field clarity and visibility for the players,” the federation said.

Coaches and players examined several alternatives before settling on the final choice. “In light of the above, the coaches and players suggested alternative colours such as yellow or saffron. After careful consideration, saffron was finalised,” the statement added.

Beyond the technical rationale, Hockey India highlighted the colour’s national resonance. “Apart from addressing the technical requirement, saffron also holds deep significance as one of the colours of our national flag, symbolising courage, sacrifice and national pride.”

The federation further noted that kit colour changes are not new in Indian hockey. It cited the 2014 FIH World Cup, when the team wore yellow, and the 2018 edition, when a sky-blue design was used. “It may also be noted that changes in jersey colour are not unprecedented in Indian hockey. From time to time, the national team’s playing kit colour has been modified as per functional and other requirements,” the statement said.

Hockey India concluded that the present shift to saffron balanced practical feedback from those preparing for the tournament with the symbolic value of a colour that appears on the national flag. The clarification aims to address public concerns while reaffirming that the decision was driven by performance considerations on modern blue synthetic pitches and the colour’s association with courage and national pride.