Hockey India has confirmed that the Indian hockey team will revert to its iconic blue jersey for the upcoming Asian Games 2026 in Japan. This decision marks a return to the team’s traditional colors, emphasizing their historical identity in the sport.
Hockey India Confirms Kit Choices for Upcoming Competitions
Hockey India (HI) has confirmed that both the Indian men’s and women’s teams will wear saffron as their primary kit during the upcoming Asian Games. This decision follows their use of the saffron jersey at the Hockey World Cup held last month in the Netherlands and Belgium. The choice was made on July 27 to prevent visual similarity with the blue turf used in hockey matches.
HI treasurer Shekar Manoharan stated, “The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) asked us our preferred choice of kit and HI has given the first preference as blue, with the secondary colour being saffron.” This clarification highlights the strategic decision-making behind the teams’ kit selections for significant international competitions.
The women’s team, on the other hand, will be aiming for their first top-of-the-podium finish in 44 years. They had finished third in the 2022 edition.
in an internal mail to HI officials, the veteran Hockey player stated that the decision was taken “without being placed before the Executive Board for discussion and without my prior knowledge Although Tirkey had initially maintained that the move to change the colour of the jersey affected “on-field clarity and visibility for the players”. Donning the saffron, India’s men’s team had finished eighth at the World Cup after just two wins in six matches. The women’s team, on the other hand, showed great fight to finish fifth in the World Cup, with two wins and three draws in six matches. Back to blue, the Harmanpreet Singh-led side, the defending champions, will be looking for an unprecedented fifth Asian Games title.
