Hockey India issues clarification after backlash over a change in the colour of India’s hockey jerseys from blue to saffron for the 2026 World Cup. In a statement, the federation says it has opted for saffron for both the men’s and women’s teams to improve visibility on blue synthetic pitches used in international hockey. Hockey India explains that the earlier blue jerseys blended with the blue artificial turf, which it says made it harder for players to distinguish teammates during matches. The federation also states that players and coaches provided input before the final decision. According to the explanation reported by Times of India, Hockey India considered the impact of the jersey’s colour against the turf conditions and chose saffron after suggestions to address the visibility problem. NDTV similarly reports that Hockey India links the jersey change to better on-field visibility at the 2026 World Cup. The federation’s clarification focuses on practical match conditions rather than any broader symbolic or political rationale.