Jersey Colour Controversy Was 'Unnecessary', Claims Hockey India Secretary General

News sports hockey Jersey Colour Controversy Was 'Unnecessary', Claims Hockey India Secretary General

Last Updated:October 31, 2026, 19:28 IST

Defending the switch to saffron jerseys, Bholanath Singh claimed the move was backed by the players and team management.

Hockey India secretary-general Bholanath Singh has said that for people who love the sport, it isn’t their job to disturb the players regarding any controversy before a World Cup or the Asian Games, adding that although Dilip Tirkey said he didn’t know about India wearing orange jerseys, he was aware of it.

Bhola Nath said that the decision to switch from the traditional blue to saffron jerseys was taken on the recommendation of the players and team management. He added that the controversy could have been avoided, especially with two major tournaments, the World Cup and Asian Games, approaching.

HI president Dilip Tirkey had claimed that the jersey colour change was made without the knowledge or approval of the federation’s Executive Board, a charge that Bhola Nath denied.

“Look, for us, the game is important, hockey is important. The biggest thing is that before the World Cup, before the Asian Games, whether it’s me or anyone else, it’s a very open world," Bhola Nath said while speaking to PTI.

“The one who loves hockey, it’s our job not to disturb the players by raising all these issues. This could have been sorted out later. In the Asian Games, our main target was to qualify for the Olympics and we were successful in doing that," Bhola Nath added.

But shortly after the World Cup and ahead of the Asian Games, Tirkey had said that India would revert to its traditional blue jersey as the primary kit for the continental event, with white serving as the alternative.

But India continued to sport saffron as its primary colour and has also been wearing the same kit at the ongoing Asian Champions Trophy in Punjab.

Bhola Nath said that he had requested the players to put the controversy behind them and focus on their game.

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