Recently Resurfaced E-Mails Show That Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey Was Made Unaware Of Jersey Change

XtraTime Newsdesk: Dilip Tirkey, the president of Hockey India, sent two different letters on Friday to members of the Executive Board and top office bearers, requesting an explanation for the choice to switch the national team's customary blue uniform to saffron for the forthcoming FIH Hockey World Cup.

Tirkey, a former captain of India, stated in the emails that the decision had been put into effect without being presented to the Executive Board or brought to his attention, and he asked officials to give a thorough explanation of how it was accepted.

According to the emails, Hockey India's president has formally questioned the authority and process behind one of the most important branding choices involving the national team ahead of a World Cup, suggesting that the controversy has expanded beyond public criticism.

The development comes a day after an Indian Express report exposed that the players were not made aware of the jersey change with only some of them being aware of it when they were presented with it earlier this week.

Tirkey informed Executive Board members in the first email, "Clarification Regarding Change in Indian National Team Jersey Colour," which was sent on Friday morning, that the decision-making process was the problem rather than the color.

“I wish to bring to your attention the recent change in the colour of the Indian national team’s jersey. This decision appears to have been taken and implemented without being placed before the Executive Board for discussion and without my prior knowledge.”

He added: “My concern is not with the choice of saffron itself. However, a decision of this significance, involving the identity and representation of our national team, should ideally have been discussed with the elected leadership and the Executive Board before implementation.”

Referring to the political debate triggered by the move, Tirkey said: “The matter has since attracted considerable media attention and, unfortunately, political interpretation in certain quarters. With the World Cup approaching, I have publicly clarified that the change was purely a sporting decision so that the focus remains on the team and its preparations.”

He also revealed that the Odisha government had sought an explanation from him.

“I have also been asked by the Government of Odisha to provide clarification regarding this matter. I therefore request the concerned Hockey India officials to provide me with a written clarification at the earliest, outlining the basis for the decision, the process followed, and the circumstances under which the change was approved and implemented.”

Calling for greater transparency, Tirkey wrote that “significant decisions concerning the national team are brought before the elected leadership and Executive Board for due consultation and collective consideration,” adding that the objective was to ensure “transparency, accountability, and adherence to our established decision-making processes.”

In a second email sent later to Hockey India executive director RK Srivastava, Tirkey instructed him to circulate a detailed note to all Executive Board members by 5 pm on July 31.

The note, he said, should explain:

• “the background and rationale for changing the traditional colour of the Indian National Team jersey”;

• “the authority under which the decision was taken”;

• “the process followed in arriving at the decision, including the officers, committees or other persons involved”;

• “whether any consultation was undertaken with the President, the Executive Board, current players, coaches, former international players or other relevant stakeholders”;

• and “the reasons why neither the President nor the Executive Board was informed or consulted prior to the public announcement.”

The World Cup is scheduled to take place in the Netherlands and Belgium from August 15 to 30.