Naveen Patnaik Criticizes Change of Indian Hockey Team Jersey Color

Patnaik's Reaction to Jersey Color Change

Bhubaneswar (Odisha) - On July 30, BJD leader and former Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik, expressed his profound disappointment regarding the Indian hockey team's recent switch from blue to orange jerseys. He emphasized that blue represents India's rich sporting heritage and national pride.

The new jerseys were unveiled in anticipation of the upcoming FIH Men’s and Women’s Hockey World Cups, set to commence on August 14 and 15 in the Netherlands and Belgium, respectively.

This alteration has ignited controversy, with former Indian captain and Olympian Viren Rasquinha also voicing his concerns about the decision.

In a post on X, Patnaik stated, "I am deeply anguished to know that the legendary colour of the Indian hockey team’s jersey has been changed to saffron. The iconic shade of blue of the Indian hockey team is not just a colour. It is an emotion associated with the nation’s sporting heritage."

He further elaborated, "For decades, this colour united us in hope, in victory, in defeat and in the pursuit of sporting excellence. We have cried, laughed, celebrated and stood proudly with our men and women in blue. Wearing the blue jersey, our teams have won Olympic medals with the national anthem playing on the world stage. #Blue is derived from the blue chakra in our national flag. It is a symbol of our national pride and identity. The colour blue belongs to every Indian."

Concerns Over Political Influence

Patnaik underscored Odisha's significant role in supporting Indian hockey and criticized the decision to change the jersey color, asserting that it should not be tied to political shifts. He likened the importance of the blue jersey to other iconic national sports colors, warning that such changes could jeopardize India's sporting legacy and unity.

"When the national hockey teams faced sponsorship challenges, Odisha made history by being the first state to back our national teams and the sport itself. Every Odia around the world took pride in the state's contribution to national hockey. After a 41-year wait, our men's team clinched an Olympic medal. The change in government in Odisha should not dictate our national team colors. This is petty politics at its worst," he remarked.

"Our blue jersey is as significant to us as the iconic stripes are to Argentina and the yellow jersey is to Brazil. It is ingrained in our collective memory. Any alteration to this color is a blatant attempt to erase our invaluable sporting heritage. National symbols should unite us, not divide us," he added.

Patnaik accused the Odisha government of influencing the jersey color change and politicizing the national sport. He claimed that this decision has offended sports enthusiasts and undermined Odisha's historical support for Indian hockey.

"I understand that this decision was made under pressure from the BJP Government in Odisha. While those in power may deny it, the reality is that for the past two years, everyone in Odisha has witnessed this government's obsession with altering the colors of buildings, buses, and even bridges. This is the only work being done in Odisha today. Now, the same government has changed the colors of our national team. I strongly condemn this attempt by BJP Odisha to politicize a national game like hockey. It has deeply hurt the sentiments of countless sports lovers across the country and the pride with which Odisha has supported the national hockey," he concluded.