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New Delhi: The controversy surrounding the Indian hockey team’s jersey color continues unabated. Amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the change from blue to saffron, goalkeeper and current coach PR Sreejesh has advised against giving it too much importance. Sreejesh stated that the team has been asked to stay away from off-field discussions and focus solely on winning a World Cup medal after 50 years.

The Indian hockey team’s jersey color has been changed ahead of the Hockey World Cup, which begins on August 15th in the Netherlands and Belgium. Previously, the team’s jersey color has been changed to saffron. Former captains and players have raised questions about the jersey color.

“The jersey color was also changed in 2014 and 2018.”

Reacting to the jersey controversy, Sreejesh said that he initially didn’t understand what the controversy was about. He says that the Indian team’s jersey color was changed in the 2014 and 2018 World Cups as well.

According to Sreejesh, the team wore yellow in 2014 and light blue in 2018. Furthermore, orange has also been used in the Indian team’s training kit. He understands why there is so much discussion about changing the jersey color this time.

He said that if the controversy is solely about the color change, it should have happened earlier.

“I don’t understand the reason for the difficulty playing on blue turf.”

Sreejesh did not object to the jersey color change, but questioned the argument that saffron jerseys are better than blue turf.

He says that the Indian team has been playing in blue jerseys for years. Therefore, he doesn’t understand the reason for changing the jersey color solely because of the field color.

He said that if the reason for changing the jersey color is a problem with playing, then the team should not wear blue jerseys again in the future.

“If the players agree, the controversy should end.”

Sreejesh, who played 339 international matches for India, said that according to media reports, the decision to change the jersey color was made with the players’ consent.

He said that Hockey India must have obtained the necessary permission from the FIH regarding the saffron jersey. If the orange jersey creates a color similarity with the Netherlands team, India can wear a second white jersey.

Sreejesh clearly stated that if the jersey color was changed with the players’ consent, there should be no scope for controversy, because ultimately, the players are the ones who have to play on the field.

“Politics should be kept away from sports”

Regarding the jersey controversy taking a political turn, Sreejesh said that sports should be kept away from politics. He said that the players are most important, and if they have no problem with the jersey color, then outsiders should not worry too much about this issue.

However, he did emphasize that if the jersey change was to be made, it would have been better to make the decision a little earlier so that the players could get used to playing with the new jersey.

‘Players should have been given a chance to play in the new jersey’

Sreejesh said that the players should have been given a chance to play a few matches wearing the new jersey. He cited the example of how players are usually accustomed to recognizing the opponent by the color of their jersey on the field.

In such a situation, a sudden color change might take some time for the players to get used to it. According to him, if the change was to be made, it should have been made some time earlier.

Outside voices will not affect the team: Sreejesh

Regarding the jersey controversy before the World Cup, Sreejesh is confident that the discussions going on off the field will not affect the Indian team’s performance.

He said that within the team, the players have always been told to stay away from outside voices. The team is aware of off-field activities, but now the players have time to focus on the tournament.

According to Sreejesh, the Indian team is currently in Europe and should put aside issues like the jersey controversy and focus on the World Cup.

“The golden opportunity to end a 50-year wait”

Giving the most important message to the Indian hockey team, Sreejesh said that this is a golden opportunity to end the 50-year wait for a medal in the World Cup.

He said that he considers England to be a relatively tough team in the pool. If India tops its pool, it could face Argentina in the next stage, a team it has previously defeated. This could make India’s path to the semi-finals easier.

“Play your best and make it to the podium”

Sreejesh urged the Indian players to play their best hockey, enjoy the game, and enter the field with the goal of ending the 50-year wait.

His message is clear: leave behind the pressure of expectations, forget the off-field discussions, and focus solely on your performance.

The biggest challenge facing the Indian hockey team now is to end its long-standing medal drought at the World Cup. Sreejesh believes the team has a great chance to do so this time.