Hockey India president questions jersey switch; federation points to technical reasons

Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey questioned the jersey colour change process, saying the decision lacked executive board discussion and his prior knowledge. Executive director RK Srivastava defended the saffron kit, citing technical and performance factors.

The move to introduce a saffron kit has prompted debate inside Hockey India, with the federation's leadership divided over how the decision was taken. Dilip Tirkey raised concerns about the procedural handling, arguing that the executive board had not discussed the change and that he had not been informed beforehand. RK Srivastava, identified as the executive director, responded by offering technical and performance-related justifications for the kit. Other board members have voiced concerns focused on questions of transparency and accountability.

Tirkey has framed the issue principally as a governance and process failing, emphasising the absence of executive board consultation and his lack of prior knowledge. His objections centre on internal decision-making norms and the expectation that the executive board be involved in such changes. The president’s stance has drawn attention because it highlights internal divisions at a time when governance is already under scrutiny.

Srivastava’s defence of the saffron kit concentrated on technical and performance factors rather than administrative procedure. He presented the rationale for the colour change in those terms, arguing such considerations supported the new kit. The executive director’s explanation aimed to shift the focus from process to practicality, underscoring reasons related to on-field performance and technical suitability.

Several other members of Hockey India’s board have publicly expressed unease about how the matter was handled, raising questions about transparency and accountability. Their concerns underscore a broader unease about governance practices within the organisation. These reactions from within the board add pressure for clearer protocols on kit changes and decision-making processes.

The disagreement over the jersey colour occurs against a backdrop of heightened examination of Hockey India’s governance. The controversy has drawn attention to the federation’s internal decision-making and the need for clearer communication among its leaders.

The dispute over the saffron kit and the process used to approve it highlights ongoing governance questions for Hockey India, with both procedural and technical arguments presented by senior officials. How the federation addresses these internal concerns may affect perceptions of its transparency and accountability in the short term.