PR Sreejesh urges Indian hockey team to focus on World Cup amidst jersey controversy

Former India goalkeeper P R Sreejesh has urged the Indian men's hockey team to put the jersey controversy behind them and concentrate on ending the country's 50-year wait for a World Cup medal. The two-time Olympic bronze medallist said changing jersey colours is not new, pointing out that India had also worn different kits during the 2014 and 2018 World Cups.

Sreejesh said he was surprised by the debate surrounding India's new saffron jersey. "To be honest, I didn't initially understand what the issue was because the jersey colour had changed for the 2014 and 2018 World Cups as well. Even one of our training kits was orange. Why is there so much discussion before the World Cup this time? Is it because of the saffron colour or simply because the colour changed?" Sreejesh told PTI. The Indian men's and women's teams will wear saffron jerseys as their primary kit at the World Cup, which begins on August 15 in the Netherlands and Belgium. The move has drawn criticism from several former India captains.

While Sreejesh said he has no problem with the jersey colour changing, he questioned the explanation that blue jerseys are difficult to see on blue hockey turfs. "If the controversy is about the colour change, then it should have happened in 2014 and 2018 too, when we wore yellow and light blue jerseys. "I have no issue with changing the jersey colour, but the reason being cited is strange. If the colour is being changed due to visibility issues during play, then the blue jersey should never be worn again," he said. The former goalkeeper added that players have been competing in blue jerseys on blue turfs for many years. "It is true that having the same colour makes visibility a bit difficult, but in the 14 years since the blue turf was introduced, the jersey colour has changed only twice. We have played in blue in almost every major tournament, including the Tokyo and Paris Olympics."

Sreejesh said the decision should be accepted if the players themselves have agreed to it. "From what I have seen in the media, the colour change was made with the players consent. Hockey India must have obtained permission from the FIH for the saffron jersey. Since orange is also the colour of the Netherlands' jersey, we can wear our alternate white jersey when playing against them," he said. "If the players have approved this decision, the matter ends there, because ultimately it is the players who have to perform on the field." He also said politics should not be mixed with sports. "I believe politics should be kept away from sports. The players are paramount. If they have no problem with it, then outsiders shouldn't have an issue either."

Sreejesh, however, felt the team should have started wearing the new jersey earlier. "I feel the players should have been given a chance to play in this jersey beforehand. We are currently used to playing in the blue jersey. "Suppose I am on the field and Harmanpreet is out there, I would look for him in the blue jersey as I have always seen him in that colour. If the jersey colour had to be changed, it should have been done a bit earlier," Sreejesh said.

Sreejesh expressed confidence that the controversy would not affect the Indian team and asked the players to stay focused on the World Cup. "Within the team, we always talked about staying away from outside noise. Players are aware of what is being said off the field, but fortunately there is still time. The team is now in Europe and they need to put these matters aside and focus entirely on the tournament."

He believes India have a good chance of reaching the semifinals if they top their group. "We have been waiting for so many years. This time, we have a golden opportunity. England is the only tough team in our pool. If we finish at the top, we might face Argentina, a team we have beaten before. The path to the semifinals looks easier. "I just want to say that play your best hockey, enjoy the game to the fullest and end this 50-year wait. You won't get an opportunity like this again. Forget the pressure of expectations, forget the off-field talk and secure a spot on the podium. 50 year is a long wait," he concluded.