Explained: Why did Hockey India change national team's jersey colour to saffron?
(Courtesy : Hockey India)
Hockey India wishes to inform you that the decision to change the uniform colour was based on support staff & 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.
In light of the above, the coaches and players suggested alternative colours such as yellow or saffron. After careful consideration, saffron was finalised. 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.
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.
For instance, during the 2014 FIH Hockey World Cup, the team’s jersey colour was changed to yellow, and during the 2018 FIH Hockey World Cup the colour was changed to sky blue with a completely different design.
The present change to saffron was implemented considering both the technical feedback received from the coaches and players and the symbolic value associated with the colour being part of our National Flag.
Why did Hockey India change the team’s jersey colour from blue to saffron?
The change was made primarily to improve player visibility on blue synthetic hockey pitches. Based on feedback from players and support staff, Hockey India opted for saffron, which also reflects one of the colours of the Indian national flag.
Has the Indian hockey team changed its jersey colour before?
Yes. The Indian men’s hockey team has worn different playing kits in the past. The jersey was yellow during the 2014 FIH Hockey World Cup and changed to a sky-blue design for the 2018 FIH Hockey World Cup, showing that kit changes have been made previously for functional reasons.
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Riya Singhal is a sports journalist with experience across multiple sports. She has led golf coverage for over three years, reporting live from some of Asia's biggest courses and interviewing emerging talents. Beyond golf, she has covered Formula 1, MLB, WWE, NBA, and NFL, bringing versatility to her reporting. Alongside writing, Riya has played an important role in mentoring young journalists and maintaining editorial quality, combining her background in education with strong leadership and people-management skills.