Chandigarh: Punjab is set to host the prestigious Asian Champions Trophy in hockey for the first time, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced while highlighting the state’s sporting achievements on completing four years of AAP governance.

“The matches will be held in Mohali and Jalandhar, marking Punjab’s debut as a host for an international hockey event,” Mann said during a press conference today. The opening match is expected around October 26 or 27, although official event details are yet to be released.

Plans for Annual Hockey Tournament

The state government is working on upgrading sports infrastructure to support the tournament. Mann added that Punjab will host a Four-Nation Hockey Championship annually, with the association committed to holding the event each year. Plans are underway to finalise the tournament’s name and submit infrastructure proposals.

Other Sporting Initiatives

Punjab will also host the National U-13 Badminton Championship in Jalandhar after a gap of 44 years. Additionally, the state plans to organise the ‘Khed Wattan Punjab Diyan’ event in September, featuring a variety of rural and urban sports for participants aged 16 to 75 years.

These initiatives underscore Punjab’s growing emphasis on promoting sports at both grassroots and professional levels.