'India will play in Blue at Asian Games': HI president Dilip Tirkey confirms as Hockey Teams to Wear Traditional Colours | Exclusive

The Indian men's and women's hockey teams will return to their traditional blue jerseys for the upcoming Asian Games, bringing an end, at least for the continental event, to the controversial switch to a saffron-coloured kit.

The change in jersey colour had sparked widespread criticism after the Indian teams wore saffron during the FIH World Cups in the Netherlands and Belgium. The decision also led to internal differences within Hockey India (HI), with federation president Dilip Tirkey publicly questioning the manner in which the change was implemented.

Tirkey has now confirmed that blue will once again be the preferred colour for the Indian hockey teams at the Asian Games, but Orange is likely to remain the main attire for the Indian team in future tournaments.

"Look, Orange is the permanent colour, I have said it before as well. It may be changed in the future. Now, blue is back for the Asian Games. The team will play in blue jerseys," HI president Dilip Tirkey told MyKhel on the sidelines of the send-off ceremony of the Asian Games-bound Indian contingent.

Controversial Switch To Saffron

The decision to move away from India's traditional blue kit had generated considerable debate in the build-up to the World Cup. The issue took on a political dimension, with opposition parties also questioning the change.

The controversy intensified when Tirkey said that the decision had been taken without his knowledge or that of Hockey India's Executive Board. The explanation given for the change was that India's blue kit could create visibility problems against the blue playing surface.

Several former India hockey stars also voiced their reservations about the decision. Former captains Viren Rasquinha, Pargat Singh, Dhanraj Pillay and Ajit Pal Singh were among those who questioned the change.