Bhubaneswar: BJD president and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday expressed strong anguish over the reported change in the colour of the Indian hockey team’s jersey from blue to saffron.
Taking to his X handle, Patnaik said the iconic blue jersey is “not just a colour” but an emotion tied to the nation’s sporting heritage.
“I am deeply anguished to know that the legendary colour of the Indian hockey team’s jersey has been changed to saffron,” he posted.
“The iconic shade of blue of the Indian hockey team is an emotion associated with the nation’s sporting heritage. For decades, this colour united us in hope, in victory, in defeat and in the pursuit of sporting excellence,” Patnaik said.
He recalled that India’s men’s and women’s teams had won Olympic medals while wearing the blue jersey, 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,” he added.
Patnaik also highlighted Odisha’s support for hockey, stating that when national teams were struggling for sponsors, Odisha became the first and only state to back the national teams. “Every Odia across the globe was proud of the state’s gift to national hockey. After 41 long years, our men’s team won an Olympic medal,” he said.
Alleging political motives behind the change, the former CM said, “Just because the government changed in Odisha, it should not change our national team colours. This is petty politics of the worst kind.”
“Our blue jersey is to us what the iconic stripes are to Argentina and the yellow jersey is to Brazil. It is etched in our collective memory. Any change in this colour is a crass attempt to erase our priceless sporting legacy. National symbols are meant to unite us, not divide,” Patnaik stated.
He further alleged that the decision was taken “under pressure from the BJP Government in Odisha,” and claimed the state government has been “obsessed with changing colours of buildings, buses and even bridges” over the last two years.
“I strongly condemn this attempt by BJP Odisha to politicise a national game like hockey. It has deeply hurt the sentiments of lakhs of sports lovers across the country and the pride with which Odisha has supported the national hockey,” he said.
