Hockey India's switch from traditional blue to saffron as the primary jersey colour for the men's national team has drawn sharp criticism from players, fans, and politicians.
For decades, blue has been synonymous with Indian sport. However, Hockey India has opted to replace blue with saffron as the primary colour of the men’s national team jersey ahead of the FIH Hockey World Cup.
The move has sparked widespread criticism from former players, administrators, fans, and politicians, raising serious questions that go far beyond the aesthetic design of the team's kit.
Crucial aspects of the decision-making process are now under scrutiny, including whether Hockey India followed due process, if players and support staff were genuinely consulted, and whether the federation’s technical explanation for the colour change stands up to analysis.
The development and its broader implications are analyzed by Uthra Ganesan, The Hindu’s hockey correspondent, in an episode of the In Focus podcast.
Reporting sourced from The Hindu Hockey. Photo courtesy The Hindu Hockey.