The Indian men’s and women’s hockey teams have ignited a fresh controversy after appearing in saffron jerseys for their opening matches at the 2026 Asian Games in Kakamilgahara, Japan. The decision to wear the orange-hued kits on Sunday, September 20, directly contradicted recent public assurances from
The choice of kit has become a point of contention within the sport's governing body, highlighting internal friction regarding the team's visual identity. While the squads previously wore saffron during the World Cup held in Belgium and the Netherlands last month, the move sparked significant debate, with Hockey India president
Internal Discord Over Kit Selection
Following the World Cup, the internal disagreement escalated into a visible divide between the federation's top officials. President Dilip Tirkey had publicly stated prior to the Asian Games that India would revert to blue as the primary kit, with white serving as the secondary option. During the official send-off ceremony for the athletes, Tirkey confirmed that the Indian Olympic Association had provided several options, and that Hockey India had officially selected blue as the primary choice for the tournament.
Despite these declarations, both the men’s and women’s teams took to the field in saffron on Sunday. The women’s team notably secured a dominant 19-0 victory over Uzbekistan, while the men’s side faced Indonesia, both wearing the controversial colors. An anonymous source within Hockey India suggested that the decision to use saffron was part of a pre-approved plan, claiming that the federation had always intended to use both saffron and a white-and-blue combination as the official kits for the Games.
Visibility Concerns and Historical Context
The rationale behind the shift away from the traditional blue, which has been the standard for Indian hockey since the nation's Olympic debut in 1928, centers on visibility. Proponents of the change have argued that wearing blue jerseys on blue synthetic turf creates significant visibility issues for players and officials alike. This practical concern has been cited as the primary driver for the introduction of the saffron kit.
The discrepancy between the president's public statements and the team's actual attire has left observers questioning the decision-making process within the federation. With the tournament now underway, the focus remains on the teams' performances on the pitch, even as the debate over their colors continues to simmer behind the scenes. The Indian hockey contingent will now look to move past the kit controversy as they progress through the remainder of the Asian Games schedule.
