PR Sreejesh: Blue Jersey Debate Must Not Derail World Cup. The legendary former India goalkeeper has urged the men’s hockey team to ignore the ongoing controversy over their new saffron kits and focus solely on ending a 50-year medal drought at the upcoming World Cup in Netherlands and Belgium, which starts on August 15.
The two-time Olympic bronze medallist expressed surprise at the uproar, reminding critics that India wore yellow and light blue jerseys during the 2014 and 2018 World Cups without any fuss. Sreejesh questioned the official reason for the change, which claims blue jerseys are hard to see on blue turfs. He argued that if visibility were the true issue, the blue jersey should be discarded permanently, noting the team has played in blue on the same pitches for 14 years, including at the Tokyo and Paris Olympics.
Believing the debate is overblown, Sreejesh stated that the matter ends if the players have consented to the change. He pointed out that Hockey India likely has FIH approval, and the team can wear white when facing the Netherlands. He asserted that politics must be kept away from sports, as the players are paramount. However, he admitted the team should have had more time to adapt to the new kit, as players instinctively look for teammates in the familiar blue.
Dismissing off-field distractions, Sreejesh remains confident in the squad’s chances. He believes topping their group, which features England as the main threat, could lead to an easier semifinal path. He concluded with a powerful message: play your best hockey, enjoy the moment, and end this long wait. Forget the noise and secure a podium spot, as opportunities like this are rare.