Hockey India Secretary general Bhola Nath Singh refutes claims over Saffron Jersey controversy

Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh has refuted claims that President Dilip Tirkey was unaware of India’s decision to switch from its traditional blue jersey to saffron ahead of the World Cup, insisting that the decision was taken concurrently.

Ever since its launch, the orange jersey has sparked controversy, with Tirkey maintaining that the decision was taken without the knowledge or approval of Hockey India’s executive board. However, Bhola Nath Singh said the change was made after players and team management presented multiple designs and expressed their preference for saffron.

During a media interaction, Singh questioned the timing of the controversy, arguing that it risked distracting players ahead of two major assignments — the World Cup and the Asian Games.

“For us, the game is important, hockey is important. The biggest thing is that before the World Cup, before the Asian Games, whether it is me or anyone else, it is a very open world. The one who loves hockey, it is our job not to disturb the players by raising all these issues. This could have been sorted out later,” he said.

He claimed that players and the management were shown four to five designs before the outfit was finalised. Directly contradicting Tirkey’s version of events, Singh said, “About the jersey colour change, as much as Dilip Tirkey knew, I also knew. And the next day he said that he didn’t know.”

The jersey controversy resurfaced ahead of the Asian Games when Tirkey indicated that India would return to blue as its primary uniform, with white as the second option. However, the team continued to wear saffron as its primary colour at the continental event. Reports also suggest that the team will retain the same kit for the ongoing Asian Champions Trophy in Punjab.

India’s hockey teams have traditionally worn blue during international matches, dating back to the country’s Olympic debut in 1928. The switch to saffron ahead of the World Cup marked a departure from this longstanding identity, making the jersey decision a major talking point in Indian hockey.