Jalandhar, Oct 28: International hockey officially opened its latest chapter in Punjab as Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann inaugurated the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar. Welcoming international squads, hockey legends, and sports enthusiasts, the Chief Minister affirmed that bringing an event of this magnitude to the state fulfills a collective dream for generations of hockey players. He maintained that the state’s infrastructure and organizational capacity position Punjab as a natural venue for major international events, including a prospective bid for the 2030 Hockey World Cup.
The Chief Minister asserted that the relationship between Punjab and hockey is built on passion, discipline, and national pride. He highlighted the state’s central role in India’s major victories, including the 1975 World Cup triumph under Ajit Pal Singh and consecutive Olympic bronze medals in Tokyo and Paris. Recognizing Jalandhar’s historic role as a nursery for world-class talent, he praised local training facilities such as the Punjab Institute of Sports Centre and the Khelo India Centre for nurturing emerging players who aim to represent the country on the global stage.
Elaborating on administrative steps to bolster sports development, the Chief Minister shared details regarding recent infrastructure expansions, including new astro-turf installations, community grounds under the Mukh Mantri Khed Maidan scheme, and specialized training programs at 14 Centres of Excellence. He declared that hosting six top Asian teams allows the region to showcase its sports culture, local hospitality, and vibrant traditions to an international audience.
The inauguration featured the unveiling of the official trophy and the presentation of honors to the six team captains in the presence of representatives from Hockey India, the Asian Hockey Federation, and regional administrative leaders. With league matches scheduled to continue in Jalandhar through November 2 before transitioning to Mohali for the semi-finals and final on November 4 and 5, the tournament marks a milestone in restoring the state’s standing as a premier sporting hub.
