Bhola Nath Defends Indias Orange Jersey After Asian Games Gold Success

New Delhi, October 3 (Daily Kiran) : The general secretary of Hockey India, Bhola Nath Singh, believes that the Indian men's and women's hockey teams have effectively responded to criticism regarding their new orange jersey by winning gold medals at the 2026 Asian Games. Since the shift from the traditional blue jersey to an orange one, the decision has sparked discussions and criticisms.Former player Veeran Raskin has been among those questioning the move away from blue. However, following the successful performances of both teams at the Asian Games, Singh stated that the athletes have silenced their critics through their achievements on the field. "The players chose the orange jersey themselves. They liked the color and wanted it. I believe it has brought them luck," Singh remarked. Both teams donned the jersey to secure gold medals, providing a strong rebuttal to their detractors.Singh also referenced the skepticism faced by the teams before heading to the Asian Games, noting that the athletes responded excellently through their performances. "Just before the Asian Games, this team faced a lot of criticism, but they answered it in the best way possible on the field," he added. The debate over the orange jersey began when Hockey India introduced it for the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup. The federation clarified that the color was chosen after discussions with players, coaches, and support staff, citing technical reasons as part of the rationale.According to Hockey India, the blue jersey could blend in with the blue synthetic turf, potentially affecting player visibility. Consequently, orange and yellow were considered alternatives, with orange ultimately selected through consensus. The federation also noted that orange is one of the significant colors of the Indian national flag. Former Indian player Veeran Raskin expressed concerns about this change, emphasizing that blue has long been synonymous with Indian hockey and is cherished by fans.Nevertheless, the success of the teams at the Asian Games has shifted the narrative surrounding the orange jersey. The Indian women's team clinched gold after a 44-year wait, also qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Meanwhile, the men's team successfully defended their title, defeating Malaysia 5-1 in the final. Harmanpreet Singh scored twice, with Jugraj Singh, Hardik Singh, and Shilanand Lakra also contributing goals. This victory ensured the Indian men's team retained their gold medal at the Asian Games.