Daijiworld Media Network - Jalandhar
Jalandhar, Oct 14: International hockey will return to Punjab after a gap of 17 years as India hosts the men’s Asian Champions Trophy for the second time, with matches scheduled in Jalandhar and Mohali from October 27 to November 5.
The 2009 Punjab Gold Cup was the last international hockey tournament held in the state. Hockey holds a special place in Punjab’s sporting and cultural identity, with the state producing generations of players who have represented India at the highest level.
Apart from hosts India, Malaysia, South Korea, China, Japan and Bangladesh will compete for the title. Reigning Asian Games champions India are the most successful team in the tournament, having won the title five times — in 2011, 2016, 2018, 2023 and 2024. India shared the title in 2018.
The Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium at Burlton Park in Jalandhar will host the opening ceremony and league-stage matches from October 27 to November 2. The tournament will then move to the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali for the semifinals and medal matches on November 4 and 5.
All six teams will face each other once in the league stage, with the top four qualifying for the semifinals. Defending champions India will begin their campaign against Bangladesh in Jalandhar on October 27.
Punjab’s contribution to Indian hockey spans generations, from legendary players Udham Singh and Balbir Singh Sr to current stars Manpreet Singh and Harmanpreet Singh.
India captain Harmanpreet Singh said the tournament would be a special occasion, particularly for players from Punjab, as they would represent the country in an international competition on home soil.
“It’s going to be a special occasion for the entire team, especially for the players who belong to Punjab because it’s the first time that we will be wearing India jersey at an international tournament in Punjab,” Harmanpreet said in a Hockey India release.
He added that his family was expected to watch him play an international match at the stadium together for the first time, including his father, who had never watched him represent India from the stands.