Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Jul 30: Hockey India has defended its decision to replace the traditional blue jerseys of the men's and women's national teams with saffron-coloured kits, saying the move was made to improve player visibility on the field.

The governing body had announced on July 27 that both teams would wear the new saffron jerseys at the upcoming FIH Hockey World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium.

The decision sparked criticism on social media, with many fans expressing disappointment over the departure from the iconic blue jersey. Former India captain Viren Rasquinha also questioned the move, stating that wearing the blue jersey had always been a matter of pride and best represented the Indian team.

Responding to the criticism, Hockey India said the decision followed extensive consultations with players and the support staff.

According to the federation, the blue jerseys often blended with the blue synthetic turf used in international hockey, affecting players' on-field visibility.

"The decision to change the uniform colour was based on recommendations from, and detailed consultations with, the support staff and players. It was observed that the blue playing uniform tended to blend with the blue synthetic playing surface, which is now the standard colour for international hockey pitches. This visual similarity affected on-field clarity and visibility for the players," Hockey India said in a statement.

The federation added that players and coaches had suggested alternative colours, including yellow and saffron, before saffron was finalised.

Hockey India said the colour not only addressed the technical concern but also carried national significance.

"Apart from addressing the technical requirement, saffron holds deep significance as one of the colours of our National Flag, symbolising courage, sacrifice and national pride," the statement added.

The Indian men's and women's teams are set to debut the new jerseys during the upcoming FIH Hockey World Cup.