PUNJAB HOSTS ASIAN HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP FOR FIRST TIME; CM BHAGWANT SINGH MANN INAUGURATES TOURNAMENT

Face2News/Jalandhar

Punjab has scripted a historic chapter in its sporting legacy as Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann inaugurated the Asian Hockey Championship for the first time in the state at Burlton Park, Jalandhar, turning the long-cherished dream of Punjab’s hockey players to compete on home soil into reality. Welcoming teams from six nations and honouring their captains, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said Punjab is ready to reclaim its place on the global hockey stage, with Jalandhar hosting all league matches and Mohali staging the semi-finals and final, while the state gears up to host the 2030 Hockey World Cup.

The Chief Minister extended a heartfelt welcome to the participating teams from Bangladesh, China, Japan, Korea and Malaysia, along with Olympians, former players, representatives of Hockey India and the International Hockey Federation, sports enthusiasts and other dignitaries.

Inaugurating the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated hosting the prestigious tournament for the first time is a historic moment for Punjab and a proud recognition of its unparalleled contribution to Indian hockey. “The Punjab government is strengthening sports infrastructure, grassroots participation and specialised training to revive Punjab’s sporting glory and prepare a new generation of champions,” he added.

The Chief Minister pointed out, “Punjab and hockey share an inseparable bond. The state’s contribution to Indian hockey is not merely a matter of statistics but a legacy built on passion, sacrifice, discipline and an unbreakable sporting spirit.”

He affirmed, “It is difficult to imagine the history of Indian hockey without the extraordinary contribution of Punjabi players. Punjab is known across the world for its fertile soil, hardworking farmers and contribution to the country’s food security. But this soil has produced much more than food grains. It has produced Olympians, world champions and sporting heroes who have made the Tricolour fly high across the world,” he said.

“Hockey is in the blood of Punjab, and every generation of our players has carried this legacy forward with immense pride,” he added.

Highlighting Punjab’s remarkable contribution to Indian hockey, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “From the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics to the 2024 Paris Olympics, Punjab has produced 77 hockey Olympians, with 48 players from the state winning Olympic medals. Punjabi players have also captained the Indian hockey team at the Olympics on 10 occasions, reflecting Punjab’s enduring leadership in the sport.”

Paying tribute to legendary hockey players, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann recalled the contributions of Balbir Singh Senior, Udham Singh, Pritipal Singh, Ajit Pal Singh, Surjit Singh and Pargat Singh, saying their achievements continued to inspire generations of young athletes. “Balbir Singh Senior’s extraordinary feat of scoring five goals in the final of the 1952 Helsinki Olympics remains a remarkable chapter in Indian hockey history. Udham Singh’s four Olympic appearances and his impressive medal-winning record are equally inspiring,” he said.

The Chief Minister said India’s bronze-medal victories in men’s hockey at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and the Paris Olympics in 2024 had revived national pride in the sport after a gap of 52 years between consecutive Olympic medal-winning campaigns. “Punjab’s strong representation in both teams is evidence of the state’s continuing importance to Indian hockey. The current Indian hockey team, led by Harmanpreet Singh, has eight players from Punjab,” CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said.

He also highlighted Punjab’s contribution to India’s 1975 Senior Men’s Hockey World Cup triumph under captain Ajit Pal Singh and the Junior Men’s World Cup victories under Gagan Ajit Singh in 2001 and Harjeet Singh in 2016.

Highlighting Jalandhar’s special place in Indian hockey, the Chief Minister said, “Jalandhar and its surrounding villages have produced generations of Olympians and international players. Villages such as Sansarpur, Khusropur and Mithapur have earned global recognition for their extraordinary contribution to the game, with the region producing more than 20 Olympians. Hockey is not simply a sport in these villages; it is a tradition passed down from one generation to another.”

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium held special emotional significance for Punjab. “Named after Surjit Singh, a member of India’s historic 1975 Hockey World Cup-winning team, this stadium represents the sacrifices, achievements and aspirations of Punjab’s hockey fraternity. A statue of Olympian Surjit Singh has also been installed at the stadium on the occasion of this tournament,” he said.

He said the Punjab Institute of Sports Centre and the Khelo India Centre operating at the stadium were helping nurture future hockey stars, with 102 players training at the Punjab Institute of Sports Centre and another 33 at the Khelo India Centre.

Explaining the arrangements for the championship, the Chief Minister stated, “The Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar will host all league-stage matches, while the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali will host the semi-finals and final. Bringing an international championship of this stature to Punjab is a matter of immense pride and an opportunity to showcase our sporting infrastructure, hospitality and cultural heritage.”

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to developing sports, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Six new hockey astro-turf grounds have been established during our government’s tenure, while two additional grounds are under construction. Punjab has also developed 18 six-a-side astro-turf hockey grounds to strengthen the sport at the grassroots level.”

He said the Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan initiative had emerged as a major platform for encouraging participation across age groups. “More than six lakh players registered for the fourth season of Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan. More than 3,000 sports grounds are also being developed across the state under the Mukh Mantri Khed Maidan initiative. The Punjab State Institute of Sports has 14 Centres of Excellence, where 1,870 athletes are receiving specialised training,” he said.

The Chief Minister said the new sports policy introduced in 2023 and the allocation of ₹1,744 crore exclusively for sports reflected the government’s commitment to building a strong sporting ecosystem and supporting athletes preparing for major competitions..“Punjab is investing in sports infrastructure, grassroots participation and specialised training so that our young athletes receive opportunities to excel at national and international levels,” stated CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.

Expressing confidence in Punjab’s ability to host major international tournaments, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Punjab is ready to host the Hockey World Cup in 2030. The Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 is an important opportunity to demonstrate our capacity to organise international sporting events and restore Punjab’s historic standing in hockey.”

He added, “The benefits of hosting this championship will extend far beyond the hockey field. It will boost sports tourism, hospitality, the sports goods industry and allied sectors while creating opportunities for local businesses and young people.”

Welcoming the international players, officials and spectators, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Punjab is renowned worldwide for its warmth, generosity and hospitality. I am confident that the visiting teams will return home with cherished memories of our people, villages, culture and traditional cuisine.”

He said sports had the unique ability to transcend geographical, linguistic and cultural boundaries. “While players compete for their respective countries, sporting events bring people together through mutual respect, discipline and friendship. I hope this championship will create lasting friendships among participating nations and inspire thousands of young spectators to take up hockey and other sports,” he said.

Congratulating the participating teams, the Chief Minister appreciated the efforts of the organisers, officials, volunteers, security personnel and everyone working behind the scenes to ensure the successful conduct of the championship.

Concluding his address, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Punjab is proud to welcome the hockey world to its historic soil. The Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 will celebrate our glorious hockey heritage and inspire a new generation to carry its legacy forward. Punjab’s relationship with hockey is not merely a chapter in sporting history; it is a living legacy of courage, commitment and national pride.”

Earlier, President Hockey Punjab Nitin Kohli and Secretary General Hockey India Bhola Nath welcomed the Chief Minister and other dignitaries.

Cabinet Minister Mohinder Bhagat, MLAs Balkar Singh and Ishaan Chabbewal, Principal Secretary Sports Varun Roojam, Director Sports Abhijit Kaplish, Mayor Jalandhar Vineet Dheer, President Hockey Punjab Nitin Kohli, Secretary General Hockey India Bhola Nath, Advisor Tourism Deepak Bali and others were also present.