Congress MLA and former India Hockey Captain Pargat Singh has criticised the change in the Indian hockey team's national jersey colour from blue to saffron, alleging it reflects the BJP's mindset of 'giving everything a particular colour' and urging a focus on sports development instead.
The Indian men's hockey team's failure to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup has highlighted significant issues, including a lack of intent in player transition and questionable selection decisions, according to former players and experts.
The controversy within Hockey India over the change in the Indian teams' jersey colour has intensified, with President Dilip Tirkey demanding documents from Director General Commander RK Srivastava. The issue, coupled with unaddressed harassment complaints, has led to the Secretary General seeking an emergency Executive Board meeting, highlighting significant internal strife ahead of the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup.
The controversy within Hockey India regarding the change in the Indian teams' jersey colour has intensified. President Dilip Tirkey's deadline for Executive Director Commander RK Srivastava to submit documents explaining the decision was missed, leading to the Secretary General requesting an emergency Executive Board meeting. This issue, along with unaddressed harassment complaints, highlights significant internal strife within the organisation.
India's men's hockey team has experienced a varied journey in the World Cup, from winning bronze in 1971 and gold in 1975 to a prolonged period without a podium finish.
A controversy has erupted within Hockey India over the national teams' new saffron jerseys, replacing the traditional blue.
Legendary Indian hockey player P R Sreejesh has urged the men's team to ignore the ongoing jersey colour controversy and focus on ending the 50-year World Cup medal drought. He dismissed concerns about the saffron jersey, noting past colour changes, but questioned the visibility argument. Sreejesh emphasised that if players approved the change, the debate should cease, and politics should be kept out of sports. He also expressed confidence in the team's ability to perform despite the off-field distractions.
'Propaganda films that the BJP makes, whether it's The Kerala Story or others, are shown wherever elections occur as part of their propaganda. But real-time human rights violations... If such things don't come on a public platform, how will correction occur?'
Congress leader Manish Tewari expressed his disappointment after being overlooked in the recent Punjab Congress reshuffle for upcoming assembly polls, posting a cryptic message on X about "insecurities of individuals and institutions" while reaffirming his loyalty to the party. The reshuffle saw key appointments for election committees, including Charanjit Singh Channi as Campaign Committee chairman, but notably excluded Tewari.
Gurugram police have successfully dismantled a car theft gang, arresting three individuals from Rajasthan. The gang, responsible for stealing a Swift car and confessing to four other thefts, employed sophisticated methods including electronic devices and drilling machines. One of the accused has a significant criminal history across multiple states.
Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj has given the Punjab government one month to address objections regarding the anti-sacrilege law, the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026, which he claims was enacted without consulting the Sikh Panth and interferes in religious affairs.
Six Sikh priests have been arrested in Hoshiarpur for allegedly abetting the suicide of a fellow granthi, Jaspal Singh. The accused reportedly harassed and threatened Jaspal over demands for a share in religious programmes, leading him to consume poison. Police have registered a case and are investigating further.
Maharashtra excise department seized Indian-Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) manufactured in Goa, valued at Rs 1.43 crore, in Thane city and arrested two persons.
Star Indian hockey players Hardik Singh and Salima Tete are among the nominees for the Hockey India Player of the Year awards, with the ceremony set to recognise outstanding achievements and contributions to Indian hockey.
When asked about the Indian player he would like to meet after the game, Pargat picked Rohit over Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah.
Hardik Singh and Navneet Kaur were named Hockey India Player of the Year in the men's and women's categories, respectively, at a ceremony in New Delhi. Several other players, officials, and member units were also recognised for their contributions to Indian hockey.
A 25-year-old Indian man who went to Russia on a student visa has allegedly been 'deceitfully' recruited into the Russian Army and pushed into the Russia-Ukraine conflict, his family claims. They are seeking the Indian government's help for his safe return.
The Centre's move on Chandigarh has raised the hackles of various parties in Punjab, with Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal terming it as a "direct attack" on Punjab's identity and constitutional rights.
Harmanpreet Singh expressed optimism that the team would start well and highlighted the need for both strong attacking and defensive play.
Former India hockey captain Pargat Singh on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on Indian Olympic Association president Suresh Kalmadi, accusing him of preventing athletes from joining National Sports Federations. Pargat, who is the secretary of Hockey Punjab, said Kalmadi's style of functioning is in violation of the Olympic Charter.
Waiting for ministry confirmation, but good decision to give Pak the nod: Tirkey
Former Olympian Pargat Singh has been named the Indian team's manager for the Azlan Shah hockey tournament in Ipoh, Malaysia.
Former India coach Harendra Singh launched a scathing attack on former India captain and current chairman of Hockey India's disciplinary committee Pargat Singh, calling him an 'indisciplined man'.
"Congress state in-charge Harish Rawat is my good friend but who gave him the right to take such a big decision about Punjab at his level? What is the meaning of Captain's leadership now after the Kharge committee's decision to contest elections under Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi?" Congress MLA Pargat Singh said.
Former India captain Pargat Singh on Saturday filed his nomination for the Hockey India president's post, setting the stage for a showdown with HI interim head Vidya Stokes in the July 28 polls in New Delhi.
Reader Virender Pal Singh sent us this picture from Dallas.
The former India captain slammed the Indian Hockey Federation for its "high-handedness".
Pargat Singh played a key role in Michael Nobbs' appointment as India's chief hockey coach but the former captain now says it is high time the under-performing Australian is given the "marching orders".
Hockey India's disciplinary panel chairman Pargat Singh on Friday demanded a stern action against the country's top five players, who left the ongoing national camp in Bangalore without permission to attend a function organized by the rival Indian Hockey Federation.
'The flight did not land in Gujarat because the 'Gujarat model' would then get exposed.'
Several former Olympians were among around 6,000 sports buffs who took part in a colourful 'Walk for Hockey' to kick start the centenary celebrations of the Bengal Hockey Association in Kolkata on Sunday. A galaxy of Indian hockey legends including Leslie Claudius, Keshav Dutt, Gurbux Singh, Jaswant Rajput, Ashok Kumar, Pargat Singh and Dhanraj Pillay rode on well decked-up phaetons to create awareness about the national game and revive hockey in the state.
Former India hockey captain Pargat Singh launched a scathing attack on Indian Olympic Association chief Suresh Kalmadi, calling him the "dirty face of Indian sport", who is desperate to maintain control over the game's administration by interfering in the much-awaited Hockey India polls.
Images from the T20 World Cup match between the United States of America and Canada in Dallas on Saturday.
Images from the T20 World Cup match between Canada and Ireland, in New York, on Friday.
Images from the T20 World Cup match between Pakistan and Canada, in New York, on Tuesday.
Canada, though coming off a defeat to the USA, will be buoyed by their 10-wicket victory over Ireland in the 2019 T20 World Cup Qualifiers
Canada will make its maiden appearance in the Men's T20 World Cup with all-rounder Saad Bin Zafar, a player of Pakistani origin, set to lead the side in the showpiece event to be held in the Americas.
Pakistan's Super 8 qualification chance hinges on winning big in their last two games against Canada and Ireland.
Virat Kohli's string of low scores would be a concern for India when they play against Canada in their final group match of the T20 World Cup.
