A new controversy has arisen regarding the new jersey of Indian hockey. Hockey India has launched the new jersey of the national team ahead of the upcoming Men's and Women's Hockey World Cup. This time, instead of the team's traditional blue jersey, a saffron colored jersey has been introduced. As soon as the new jersey was revealed, discussion about it started on social media. Many fans called it different from the identity of Indian hockey, while former hockey captain Viran Rasquinha has also raised questions on this decision.
The Men's Hockey World Cup will be played in Belgium and the Netherlands from August 14 to 30, while the Women's World Cup will be held from August 15 to 30. In such a situation, the change in the color of the jersey has become a topic of discussion just before the tournament. Viran Rasquinha says that the identity of the Indian hockey team has always been the blue jersey and the fans also like to see the team in the same colour.
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Full statement of former captain Viran Rasquinha
Former captain Viran Rasquinha said on social media platform X, 'Hockey India has done many good things but this decision is very shameful. The identity and legacy of the Indian hockey team has always been the blue jersey. I too have proudly represented India wearing the blue jersey for many years. Fans want to see their team in blue jersey only. After all, what is the logic behind wearing orange jersey?
Hockey India explained the reason for the change
After this controversy escalated, Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey came forward and defended this decision. He said that the suggestion to change the color of the jersey was not from any one person, but was given by the team's coach, support staff, captains and players together. Citing the team coach and staff, Tirkey said that nowadays the color of hockey turf is also blue. In such a situation, even if players wear blue jerseys, it becomes difficult to identify them easily on the field and their visibility also reduces. For this reason, the players had suggested yellow and saffron colors, in which saffron color was finally chosen.
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He also said that saffron color is one of the three colors of our tricolor. If in future the players do not like this color or feel the need for some other color, then the color of the jersey can be changed again.
India in the same group with Pakistan
In the Men's World Cup, India has been placed in Pool D along with England, Wales and Pakistan. India won its only Hockey World Cup in 1975 by defeating Pakistan. The Indian team stood 9th in the World Cup 2023, but this time the team is expected to perform better after the success of two consecutive Olympic bronze medals, Asia Cup and Asian Champions Trophy. The Indian women's team will start its campaign against China on August 16, after which it will face South Africa and England.
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