Concerns Over Jersey Colour Change
The decision to change the Indian hockey team’s primary jersey colour to saffron for the upcoming World Cup has drawn criticism from former captains Pargat Singh and Dhanraj Pillay. Both expressed that the blue jersey has long been the team’s established identity. The new kit, featuring saffron as the main colour, was unveiled by Hockey India for both the men’s and women’s teams ahead of the tournament, which is scheduled to begin on August 15 in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Pargat Singh, a former India captain, stated that he believes everything in the country is being “saffronised,” including education, history, and now sports. He emphasised that sports should unite people and transcend religion, caste, and politics, expressing concern if such ideologies enter sports. Singh also dismissed Hockey India’s explanation that the change was made to improve visibility on blue astro turf, stating he never experienced such an issue and questioned why only saffron was chosen if visibility was a concern.
Similarly, Dhanraj Pillay, who represented India in 339 international matches, including four Olympics and four Champions Trophy tournaments, highlighted that the blue jersey has been linked with Indian hockey for decades. He acknowledged saffron’s importance as one of the colours of the national flag but noted it has never been the traditional colour for Indian hockey. Pillay questioned the sudden change after many years, pointing out that teams from the 1928 Olympic team to the 1980 Moscow Olympic gold medal-winning side consistently played in blue.
Historical Context and Player Identity
Dhanraj Pillay recalled that throughout his nearly 15-year career, the team’s jersey remained blue. He stressed that players identify with the national team’s traditional colours, differentiating it from franchise tournaments like the IPL or Hockey India League, where teams wear various colours. He mentioned only one instance he remembered where India wore a yellow shirt with blue shorts, during a match against Argentina at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
Pillay also challenged the argument that the colour change was necessary due to hockey being played on blue astro turf. He noted that the team has played on blue turf for several years without any reported problems related to jersey colour and questioned if the FIH had issued any directives regarding blue jerseys creating difficulties. Pargat Singh echoed this sentiment, rejecting the claim that the decision was based on feedback from players and coaches, asserting that such recommendations are not typically made by them. He also noted that the FIH already has India’s jersey colours registered.
Both former captains underscored that generations of Indian players, from prominent figures to the current squad, have represented India in blue. Pargat Singh highlighted that iconic photographs of Indian hockey consistently show players in blue, and even during their playing days, they trained in blue, solidifying it as the identity of Indian hockey. He added that while India traditionally had a white change kit, the saffron jersey has now been registered as the primary strip, a decision for which he sees no logical reasoning.
Political Allegations and Call for Focus on Sports Development
Pargat Singh, a former India Hockey Captain, attributed the jersey colour change to what he described as a political agenda to “saffronise” everything and divert attention from genuine sports development. He argued that the government’s focus should be on improving sports infrastructure and providing better facilities for athletes, rather than altering jersey colours. Singh emphasised the importance of keeping sports free from political and social divisions, highlighting its role in promoting brotherhood and sportsmanship.
He urged that sports should be spared from such political influences, stating that sports have no religion, caste, or political party, and convey a message of brotherhood globally. Other figures, including former captain Viren Rasquinha and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, have also questioned the decision. Pargat Singh suggested that the government should abandon what he termed a “petty mindset” and instead concentrate on promoting players, expanding the sports base, and overall sports development.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
