Punjab to Host Historic Hockey Asian Champions Trophy in October

Excitement Builds for the Hockey Asian Champions Trophy

Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], September 14: Bhola Nath Singh, the secretary general of Hockey India, expressed his enthusiasm about Punjab being the venue for this year's Hockey Asian Champions Trophy, scheduled for October. He highlighted that this event will allow renowned players like Harmanpreet Singh and Manpreet Singh to showcase their skills in front of their home crowd.

In a groundbreaking announcement, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann revealed that the state will host its inaugural major hockey tournament, where Team India will defend their title against top Asian teams starting October 27. Notably, arch-rivals Pakistan will also participate in this prestigious event.

CM Mann shared on X that the tournament will run from October 27 to November 5, with matches taking place in Jalandhar and Mohali, where the semifinals and finals will be held. A highly anticipated match between India and Pakistan is set for November 1, coinciding with 'Punjab Day' in Jalandhar.

Bhola Nath expressed his pride in fulfilling the dreams of players like Harmanpreet and Manpreet, who have played extensively worldwide but have never had the chance to compete on their home turf. He thanked the Chief Minister and the state government for organizing such a significant tournament and encouraged fans to attend in large numbers.

When asked about the participating teams, he mentioned, 'India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Korea, China, and Japan.' Bhola Nath is particularly excited about the India-Pakistan match on November 1, noting that many players from both sides share Punjabi roots, which will create a unique atmosphere.

He praised the men's hockey team's recent performances, including their success in Asian tournaments and Olympic bronze medals in 2021 and 2024. Despite a less-than-ideal finish at the recent FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup, he remains optimistic about India's prospects for gold at the upcoming Asian Games in Japan, starting September 19, and securing a spot in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

Bhola Nath acknowledged that sometimes tournaments do not go as planned due to various factors. However, he remains hopeful, especially after the success of the Junior Asia Cup. He believes that the athletes will excel in both men's and women's events at the Asian Games and qualify for the LA 2028 Games.

The tournament will be co-hosted by Mohali and Jalandhar, with matches held at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali and the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar.

Jalandhar will kick off the tournament with the opening ceremony and all league matches from October 27 to November 2. The action will then shift to Mohali for the semifinals on November 4 and the final on November 5, culminating in a grand finale.

During the tournament launch, key figures including Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh, Director General Cdr RK Srivastava, Executive Board Member RP Singh, and Hockey Punjab President Nitin Kohli were present.

The event will feature some of Asia's top hockey nations, including India, Pakistan, South Korea, Malaysia, China, and Japan, with Oman and Bangladesh as reserve teams.

The Men's Asian Champions Trophy is a premier event on the Asian Hockey Federation calendar, offering a competitive platform for leading teams. The 2026 edition is expected to draw significant attention from hockey enthusiasts across India and Asia, while also celebrating Punjab's rich hockey heritage.

With the tournament taking place at two iconic venues, it will honor the legacy of Punjab's legendary players and reinforce the state's status as a key hub for hockey in India.

'Punjab has a proud hockey legacy, and we are thrilled that Mohali and Jalandhar will host the Hero Men’s Asian Champions Trophy 2026. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Punjab Government for their support,' stated Dr. Dilip Tirkey, President of Hockey India.

India clinched the Asian Champions Trophy title in 2024, defeating China in the final, marking their fifth title in the tournament, which was hosted by China in September that year.