Exciting Start to the Bholath Hockey Cup at Surjit Hockey Stadium

The Bholath Hockey Cup has officially begun at Surjit Hockey Stadium, featuring an exciting lineup of matches and unique prizes, including a Harley-Davidson motorcycle for the Best Player of the Final. This tournament not only showcases top-tier hockey talent but also honors the legacy of Avtar Singh Bal, who initiated a kabaddi cup over fifty years ago. With significant cash prizes and a focus on promoting sports culture in Punjab, the event promises to be a thrilling experience for players and spectators alike. Don't miss the action as elite teams compete for glory!

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 20, 2026, 16:02 IST

Bholath Hockey Cup Kicks Off

The much-anticipated Bholath Hockey Cup commenced today at the renowned Surjit Hockey Stadium, showcasing an impressive display of elite hockey talent. The opening day features four matches, attracting enthusiastic participation from both players and fans.

Unique Awards for Top Performers

In a remarkable twist, the tournament organizers revealed that the Best Player of the Final will receive a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, along with generous cash prizes for outstanding players and teams.

A Legacy of Sportsmanship

Mohanbir Singh Bal, the chief organizer and an NRI from Australia with roots in Bholath, Punjab, shared the heartfelt story behind this event. He mentioned that his father, Avtar Singh Bal, had started a kabaddi cup in Bholath over fifty years ago.

“It has been 57 years since the kabaddi cup began. My father passed away in 2018, and we wanted to honor his legacy. In his memory, we decided to continue this tradition. He was a devoted sports enthusiast who played both kabaddi and hockey, which motivated us to launch the hockey cup this year,” Bal explained.

Community Support Fuels the Event

Bal also acknowledged the vital role of friends and supporters in making this event successful, allowing the organizers to provide substantial prize money and prestigious awards.

Tournament Structure and Prize Money

The men's tournament features eight top teams competing in a knockout format, including the Indian Navy (Mumbai), CAG (Delhi), Indian Army Red (New Delhi), Punjab Police (Jalandhar), Punjab & Sind Bank (New Delhi), Petroleum Sports Promotion Board, Indian Air Force, and Punjab National Bank (Delhi). The winning team will take home Rs 15 lakh, while the runner-up will receive Rs 10 lakh, and the third-place team will get Rs 5 lakh. Individual honors include Rs 3 lakh for the Player of the Tournament and the prestigious motorcycle for the Best Player of the Final.

In the women's division, four teams—CRPF (Jalandhar), BSF (Jalandhar), Round Glass Sports (Mohali), and Guru Nanak Dev University (Amritsar)—will compete for Rs 5 lakh for the winners, Rs 2 lakh for the runners-up, and Rs 50,000 each for the third and fourth places.

Promoting Sports Culture

Co-organizer Gurjit Singh highlighted that the tournament's goal is to foster a vibrant sports culture in Punjab.