The record
Written from the 1 report below. Nothing here is unsourced.
- Indian men's and women's hockey teams wore saffron jerseys during their opening matches at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
- This decision deviates from a previous statement by Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey that the teams would return to traditional blue kits.
- The change follows similar usage of saffron kits during the World Cup, which caused internal disagreements within the national hockey federation.
- The dispute highlights conflicting internal accounts regarding the approval of kit colors.
What to watch next
- Further statements from Hockey India leadership regarding jersey color selection
- Potential resolution of internal disputes within the Hockey India federation
Who said what2
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Dilip Tirkey
Hockey India president
1 quote · 1 outlet
“The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) had given us options regarding the team kit colours and Hockey India selected blue as the first choice for the Indian team's kit. Orange will be the second choice,”
In the article
…kit colour. However, shortly after the World Cup and ahead of the Asian Games, Tirkey had said that India would return to its blue jersey as the primary kit for the continental event, with white as the other option. " The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) had given us options regarding the team kit colours and Hockey India selected blue as the first choice for the Indian team's kit. Orange will be the second choice, " Tirkey had said during the send-off ceremony of the Indian contingent for the Asian Games. The teams, however, wore saffron in their opening matches on Sunday. The secondary kits would also not be completely blue, a…
Hockey India source
1 quote · 1 outlet
“The two colours for the Indian teams' playing kits for the Asian Games 2026 were always saffron and the combination of white and sky blue, which was approved by the HI president himself.”
In the article
…kits would also not be completely blue, a Hockey India source was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. According to the PTI-quoted source, India will have a combination of white and blue as well as the saffron kit. " The two colours for the Indian teams' playing kits for the Asian Games 2026 were always saffron and the combination of white and sky blue, which was approved by the HI president himself. " "As to why the president then said that India will wear all-blue at the Asian Games is something you need to ask the president himself," the HI source told PTI. The change in jersey colour was initially explained on…
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Named India · Japan · Indonesia · Uzbekistan · Belgium · Netherlands · Indian men's national field hockey team · Indian women's national field hockey team · Kakamilgahara · Bhola Nath Singh · Dilip Tirkey · Hockey India · Indian Olympic Association
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