Odisha: Former chief minister criticises Indian hockey team’s saffron jersey

By Arjun Nair / 30.07.2026

By Arjun Nair — 30 July 2026 — 5 min read

Concerns Over Jersey Colour Change

Former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has voiced strong criticism regarding the decision to change the Indian hockey team’s jersey colour from its traditional blue to saffron. Patnaik, who is also the president of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), stated that this alteration has deeply affected the sentiments of sports enthusiasts. The Indian men’s and women’s hockey teams are scheduled to wear saffron jerseys instead of their customary blue kits at the upcoming FIH World Cup, which will be held in the Netherlands and Belgium next month.

Patnaik expressed his profound distress over the change, noting that the blue jersey has been a significant part of Indian hockey for many decades. He shared his views on X after Hockey India unveiled the new jersey on its social media platforms. According to Patnaik, the iconic blue shade is more than just a colour; it represents an emotion linked to the nation’s sporting legacy. He highlighted that this colour has historically united the country through victories, defeats, and the pursuit of sporting excellence.

Hockey India, in unveiling the new jersey, explained that its design and colour are intended to narrate a story and embody India’s pride. The federation mentioned that saffron symbolises courage, sacrifice, and victory. They also stated that the design, inspired by the Indian national flag and the rising sun, signifies new beginnings.

Political Allegations and Sporting Heritage

Patnaik, who once served as a goalkeeper for his school hockey team, reflected on his personal connection to the sport. He recalled moments of shared joy and sorrow with the teams in blue, noting that wearing the blue jersey, the teams have achieved Olympic medals, with the national anthem playing on the world stage. He further emphasised that the blue jersey is representative of the country, drawing its colour from the blue chakra in the Indian national flag, symbolising national pride and identity.

The former Chief Minister also recounted that Odisha stepped in to support Indian hockey approximately a decade ago when the national teams faced difficulties in securing sponsors. He stated that Odisha became the first and only state to support the national teams and the sport, a move that brought pride to every Odia globally. Patnaik pointed out that the men’s team secured an Olympic medal after 41 long years. He argued that a change in government in Odisha should not lead to a change in the national team’s colours, characterising it as petty politics.

Patnaik drew parallels between India’s blue jersey and other renowned football shirts, such as the iconic stripes of Argentina and the yellow jersey of Brazil. He asserted that the blue jersey is deeply ingrained in the collective memory of the nation, and any alteration to this colour is a crude attempt to erase a priceless sporting legacy. He stressed that national symbols are meant to foster unity, not division.

Furthermore, Patnaik claimed that he was informed the decision to change the jersey colour was made under pressure from the BJP government in Odisha. While acknowledging that those in authority might deny this, he highlighted that for the past two years, there has been a noticeable obsession within the Odisha government with changing the colours of various public assets, including buildings, buses, and bridges. He alleged that changing colours has become a primary focus for the state government.

Patnaik strongly condemned what he described as an attempt by BJP Odisha to politicise a national sport like hockey, stating that it has deeply hurt the feelings of numerous sports lovers across the country and undermined the pride with which Odisha has supported national hockey.

Calls for Focus on Sports Development

Pargat Singh, a former India Hockey Captain and Congress MLA, also criticised the change in the Indian hockey team’s national jersey colour to saffron. He attributed this change to the BJP’s alleged political agenda to ‘saffronise’ everything and divert attention from genuine sports development. Singh argued that the government’s priority should be on enhancing sports infrastructure and providing improved 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. Other notable figures, including former captain Viren Rasquinha and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, have also questioned the decision. Speaking to ANI, Pargat stated that the government’s intention is clear, citing similar changes in education policy and other areas where the focus has been on altering content.

Pargat noted that for as long as he has been involved with hockey, the primary colour has always been blue. He suggested that the BJP’s mindset is to imbue everything with a specific colour, which is saffron. He questioned what such changes would achieve for the country, asserting that the BJP’s mindset is clearly visible through these actions.

The Congress MLA urged the government to move away from what he termed a “petty mindset” and instead concentrate on promoting athletes and expanding sports infrastructure. He stressed the need for more important work for the country, such as supporting players, offering better facilities, broadening the sports base, and overall sports development. Pargat appealed to the BJP to spare sports from such political influences, stating that sports transcend religion, caste, or political party and convey a message of brotherhood globally. He concluded by urging that sports remain free from this saffronisation.

The controversy surrounding the jersey change has drawn significant attention, with calls from various quarters to prioritise the integrity and development of sports over political considerations.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com