# Indian hockey teams wear saffron despite Tirkey’s blue jersey promise

2026-09-21T03:02:47+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 7 independent outlets

The Indian men's and women's hockey teams wore saffron jerseys in their opening Asian Games 2026 matches on Sunday, contradicting Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey's pre-tournament assurance that the teams would revert to blue. Both teams wore saffron during last month's World Cup, triggering internal controversy. Tirkey later claimed the change was made without his knowledge. Tirkey had said at the Asian Games send-off that blue was the first-choice kit, with orange second. But an unnamed Hockey India source told PTI that saffron and a white-sky blue combination were always the approved kits for 2026, and that Tirkey himself had approved them. The source questioned why Tirkey then said the team would wear all-blue. India has mostly worn blue since 1928.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

Tirkey told the World Cup jersey change had player backing, but later claimed he was not informed. Now, although he promised a return to blue for the Asian Games, both teams wore saffron. An unnamed HI source says the saffron and white-blue kits were Tirkey's own approval. The officials' statements contradict each other, but the on-field outcome is the same: the traditional blue is absent. The HI source's challenge to ask Tirkey why he said blue leaves the federation president's account unresolved. The federation's internal dispute, which led to the DG being stripped of powers, shows no signs of abating.

## Coverage

- thehansindia.com (neutral report) <https://www.thehansindia.com/sports/change-in-jersey-colour-suggested-by-players-and-support-staff-due-to-visibility-issues-dilip-tirkey-1103089>
  Repeats same player-led explanation, includes sponsor disclaimer
- thehansindia.com (neutral report) <https://www.thehansindia.com/sports/hockey/players-coaches-suggest-change-over-visibility-issues-dilip-tirkey-on-the-saffron-jersey-decision-1103073>
  Repeats same player-led explanation, includes sponsor disclaimer
- economictimes.indiatimes.com (government critical) <https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/sports/hockey/asian-games-2026-indian-hockey-teams-don-saffron-jerseys-in-opening-matches/articleshow/134367595.cms>
  Leads on internal discord and Tirkey's statement contradicted by HI source
- timesnownews.com (government critical) <https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/hockey/asian-games-2026hockey-jersey-saga-continues-india-wears-saffron-despite-confirming-return-to-blue-article-156191945>
  Highlights contradiction between Tirkey's promise and actual kit worn, cites HI source
- timesofindia.indiatimes.com (government critical) <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/asian-games-2026/hockey-indias-blue-promise-goes-up-in-smoke-as-indian-hockey-teams-wear-saffron-at-asian-games/articleshow/134370060.cms>
  Focuses on promise broken and internal dispute, quotes HI source
- thehindu.com (government critical) <https://www.thehindu.com/sport/hockey/asian-games-2026-indian-hockey-teams-don-saffron-jerseys-in-opening-matches/article71489010.ece>
  Full account of dispute, notes Tirkey's statement contradicted by source
- hindustantimes.com (sensationalist) <https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/hockey/indias-saffron-hockey-kits-at-asian-games-2026-spark-fresh-questions-after-dilip-tirkey-s-blue-jersey-assurance-report-101789926768507.html>
  Calls it a 'drama' and 'conundrum', highlights surprise and internal fallout including DG demotion
- theprint.in (neutral report) <https://theprint.in/sport/indian-hockey-teams-don-saffron-jerseys-in-opening-asian-games-matches/3048012/>
  Straight PTI wire copy, notes internal discord but no editorialising

Tags: Asian Games 2026, Bhola Nath Singh, Dilip Tirkey, Hockey India, Indian Olympic Association
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