A major international hockey event is set to take place in Punjab. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has announced the schedule for the ‘Hockey Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026’. The tournament will begin in Jalandhar on October 27, while the final will be played in Mohali on November 5.
Six Countries to Participate
Teams from six countries India, Pakistan, Japan, Malaysia, China and Korea will participate in the tournament. Oman and Bangladesh have been kept as reserve teams. Along with the schedule, the official tournament logo was also unveiled. Hockey India players and other officials associated with the event were present on the occasion.
Rs 25.40 Crore Budget; Free Entry for Spectators
The Punjab government has allocated a budget of ₹25.40 crore for hosting the tournament. According to the government, spectators will not be charged any entry fee throughout the tournament. The Punjab government will be responsible for making the necessary arrangements for the event and has stated that adequate facilities will be ensured for both players and spectators.
Punjab Described as the Nursery of Hockey
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Punjab is known as the nursery of hockey in the country. Hockey is an important part of the lives of people in the state, and several players from Punjab represent the Indian hockey team. He said the tournament will provide Punjab with an opportunity to host a major international hockey event. The government will also focus on providing players with better facilities of national standards.
Children and Legendary Players to Be Part of the Event
The government is also planning to involve children in the tournament. Cultural programmes will be organised during the matches, while former and legendary hockey players will be honoured. The Punjab government is also working towards organising hockey leagues at both junior and senior levels. The objective is to build a stronger foundation for hockey in the state and provide emerging talent with opportunities to progress.
Plans to Field Punjab Teams in the Hockey India League
According to the Punjab government, efforts are also underway to ensure the participation of Punjab’s men’s and women’s teams in the Hockey India League in the future. This could provide players from the state with opportunities to showcase their talent on a major platform and further promote hockey across Punjab.