Players, coaches suggest change over visibility issues: Dilip Tirkey on the saffron jersey decision

New Delhi: Hockey India President Dilip Kumar Tirkey on Thursday explained the decision to change the Indian men's and women's hockey teams' jersey colour from blue to orange for the FIH World Cup, saying the change was suggested by players, coaches and support staff due to visibility issues on the blue hockey turf.

Hockey India on Monday unveiled the new saffron jersey instead of their traditional blue kits for next month’s FIH World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium, which triggered widespread debate, with ex-captain Viren Rasquinha publicly questioning the logic behind moving away from the team's iconic blue colours.

Speaking to IANS, Tirkey said the team had suggested two colour options, yellow and orange, with orange players selected as it is also represented in the Indian national flag.

"The change from blue to orange was made on the recommendation of the players, coaching staff, and support staff... Technically, when the team plays on blue turf, the blue jersey creates visibility-related issues. That is why two colours, saffron and yellow, were shortlisted. The players and coaches chose saffron, as it is one of the colours of the national flag."

He insisted that the decision was taken based on the technical reasons and urged not create unnecessary issues out of it. "There is a technical reason behind the move to the saffron jersey, so it is better not to make an unnecessary issue out of it.

The team's jersey colour has been changed in several tournaments in the past as well. In 2014, the team played in yellow jerseys, while in 2018, the team played in sky blue jerseys.

Tirkey further said Hockey India would consider the players' preference, and the jersey colour can be changed in the future on players' preference.

"If after or during the World Cup, the team or players do not feel comfortable with the orange colour, which was introduced based on their own request, we can definitely change it in the future to a colour that the team prefers," he said.

FIH Men's and Women's Hockey World Cups, which are scheduled to begin on August 14 and 15, respectively, in the Netherlands and Belgium.

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