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Jalandhar, October 27, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday inaugurated the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar, marking the first time the state has hosted the prestigious international hockey tournament. Welcoming teams from six nations, Mann said the championship fulfilled the long-standing dream of Punjab's hockey players to compete on home soil and reaffirmed the state's ambition to reclaim its historic position in world hockey. He also announced that Punjab was ready to host the Hockey World Cup in 2030.
The Chief Minister welcomed 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. He also honored the captains of all six participating teams.
Describing the event as a historic moment for Punjab, Mann said hosting the championship recognized the state's immense contribution to Indian hockey. He said the Punjab Government was strengthening sports infrastructure, grassroots participation and specialized training to revive the state's sporting glory and prepare a new generation of champions.
“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 said.
Mann said Punjab's fertile soil had produced not only hardworking farmers who contributed to the country's food security but also Olympians, world champions and sporting heroes who had brought glory to the Tricolour.
“Hockey is in the blood of Punjab, and every generation of our players has carried this legacy forward with immense pride,” he added.
Highlighting the state's contribution to Indian hockey, the Chief Minister said Punjab had produced 77 hockey Olympians from the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics to the 2024 Paris Olympics, with 48 players from the state winning Olympic medals. He added that Punjabi players had captained the Indian Olympic hockey team on 10 occasions, reflecting Punjab's enduring influence on the sport.
Paying tribute to legendary players, Mann recalled the achievements of Balbir Singh Senior, Udham Singh, Pritipal Singh, Ajit Pal Singh, Surjit Singh and Pargat Singh, saying their contributions continued to inspire generations of young athletes.
He highlighted Balbir Singh Senior's achievement of scoring five goals in the final of the 1952 Helsinki Olympics and Udham Singh's record of participating in four Olympic Games and winning multiple medals.
The Chief Minister also referred to India's bronze-medal victories in men's hockey at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and the Paris Olympics in 2024, describing them as significant milestones in the revival of Indian hockey. He said Punjab's strong representation in both teams demonstrated the state's continuing importance to the national side.
“The current Indian hockey team, led by Harmanpreet Singh, has eight players from Punjab,” Mann said.
He also recalled 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, Mann said the city and its surrounding villages had produced generations of Olympians and international players. He specifically mentioned Sansarpur, Khusropur and Mithapur, noting that the region had produced more than 20 Olympians.
“Hockey is not simply a sport in these villages; it is a tradition passed down from one generation to another,” he said.
Mann said the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium held special emotional significance for Punjab's sporting community. Named after Surjit Singh, a member of India's 1975 Hockey World Cup-winning team, the stadium symbolized the sacrifices, achievements and aspirations of the state's hockey fraternity. A statue of the Olympian has also been installed at the stadium on the occasion of the tournament, he added.
The Chief Minister said the Punjab Institute of Sports Center and the Khelo India Center operating at the stadium were helping nurture future hockey stars. According to him, 102 players were training at the Punjab Institute of Sports Centre, while another 33 were enrolled at the Khelo India Centre.
Explaining the arrangements for the championship, Mann said all league-stage matches would be held at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar, while the semi-finals and final would take place at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali.
He said hosting an international championship of this stature would provide Punjab with an opportunity to showcase its sporting infrastructure, hospitality and cultural heritage.
Reaffirming the government's commitment to developing sports, Mann said six new hockey astro-turf grounds had been established during his government's tenure, while two more were under construction. Punjab had also developed 18 six-a-side astro-turf hockey grounds to strengthen the sport at the grassroots level, he added.
The Chief Minister said the Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan initiative had become a major platform for encouraging sports participation across age groups, with more than six lakh players registering for its fourth season.
He added that more than 3,000 sports grounds were being developed across the state under the Mukh Mantri Khed Maidan initiative. The Punjab State Institute of Sports had also established 14 Centers of Excellence, where 1,870 athletes were receiving specialized training, he said.
Mann said the sports policy introduced in 2023 and an allocation of ₹1,744 crore exclusively for sports reflected the government's commitment to building a strong sporting ecosystem and supporting athletes preparing for national and international competitions.
“Punjab is investing in sports infrastructure, grassroots participation and specialized training so that our young athletes receive opportunities to excel at national and international levels,” he said.
Expressing confidence in the state's ability to organize major international sporting events, Mann reiterated that Punjab was ready to host the Hockey World Cup in 2030. He described the Asian Champions Trophy as an important opportunity to demonstrate the state's organizational capabilities and restore Punjab's historic standing in hockey.
He said the benefits of hosting the championship would extend beyond the playing field, boosting sports tourism, hospitality, the sports goods industry and allied sectors while creating opportunities for local businesses and young people.
Welcoming international players, officials and spectators, Mann said Punjab was renowned worldwide for its warmth, generosity and hospitality. He expressed confidence that visiting teams would return home with cherished memories of the state's people, villages, culture and traditional cuisine.
Emphasizing the role of sports in promoting international friendship, the Chief Minister said sporting events transcended geographical, linguistic and cultural boundaries by bringing people together through mutual respect, discipline and shared enthusiasm.
He expressed hope that the championship would foster lasting friendships among participating nations and inspire thousands of young spectators to take up hockey and other sports.
Mann congratulated the participating teams and appreciated the efforts of organisers, officials, volunteers, security personnel and others involved in ensuring the smooth conduct of the tournament.
Concluding his address, he said the championship would celebrate Punjab's glorious hockey heritage and inspire a new generation to carry its legacy forward.
Earlier, Hockey Punjab President Nitin Kohli and Hockey India Secretary General 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, Jalandhar Mayor Vineet Dheer, Tourism Advisor Deepak Bali and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.