Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey defended the decision to change the national team's jersey color to orange, and said the move was not politically motivated [1].
The change comes amid public debate over the symbolism of the new color. Because sports kits in India can become flashpoints for political discourse, Tirkey's clarification aims to insulate the athletes from external controversy and maintain a focus on performance.
Tirkey said the selection of orange was based on practical requirements rather than pressure from any external entity [1]. He said the decision followed feedback from the players and the support staff regarding how the team appeared during matches [2].
According to Tirkey, the primary goal of the color switch was to improve player visibility on the blue turf used in international field hockey [1]. The contrast provided by the orange hue is intended to help teammates identify one another more quickly during high-speed play [2].
The president said the kit change carries no political intent and urged fans to support the team without creating unnecessary conflict [1]. He said the organization's priority remains the success of the national squad on the field rather than the optics of the uniform [2].
By addressing the controversy directly, Hockey India seeks to prevent the narrative from shifting away from the sport itself. Tirkey said the team should be judged by its results and the quality of its play rather than the color of its jerseys [1].
“The selection of orange was based on practical requirements rather than pressure from any external entity.”
This situation highlights the intersection of national identity and athletic performance in India. By framing the jersey change as a technical decision based on visibility and player feedback, Hockey India is attempting to depoliticize a visual change that could otherwise be interpreted as a statement of ideological alignment.
