Hockey India Reverses Saffron Kit Decision, Restores Iconic Blue Jerseys for Asian Games 2026
Hockey India has officially announced that both the Indian men’s and women’s national hockey teams will return to wearing their traditional blue jerseys as their primary kit for the upcoming 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The decision resolves weeks of widespread public debate and criticism from former Olympians following the federation's sudden switch to saffron kits during the FIH Hockey World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium.
The federation had previously introduced saffron as the primary jersey colour, citing visibility concerns on blue turf surfaces. However, the change drew severe pushback from fans, former national team captains, and sports officials who argued that the iconic blue jersey was an integral part of India’s sporting identity. Following consultations with the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), Hockey India designated blue as the primary choice for the Asian Games, while keeping saffron as an alternate secondary kit. The return to the traditional blue identity comes as a major boost for the players and fans as the teams prepare for the multi-sport continental tournament.
