India’s national hockey teams will wear their classic blue jerseys at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi‑Nagoya, reversing the bright orange kits that caused a stir during the latest FIH World Cup.
Blue as a Symbol of Heritage
The blue colour has long been a cornerstone of the men’s and women’s squads, embodying a sense of national identity that goes beyond mere team colours.
When Hockey India switched to saffron kits for the World Cup, the move was justified by concerns that blue might blend into the artificial turf, but it quickly ignited criticism because the hue is tied to the country’s traditional identity and the saffron shade was seen as echoing right‑wing Hindutva politics.
The president of Hockey India later admitted that neither the executive board nor senior management had been consulted about the jersey change, highlighting a lack of transparency in the decision‑making process.
The 2026 Asian Games will take place from September 18 to October 3, with hockey fixtures scheduled across the same window, and viewers in India can follow the action live on Sony Sports Network, Sony LIV and DD Sports.