Jalandhar, October 21, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
AAP MP Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer on Wednesday credited Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann with bringing the Asian Champions Trophy 2026 to the state, describing the tournament as a landmark moment for Punjab’s hockey legacy. He urged hockey fans and families to turn out in large numbers to cheer Team India at the matches in Jalandhar and Mohali.
Speaking in a video message from the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar, Meet Hayer said the venue would host an international hockey tournament for the first time since Independence. He thanked the Chief Minister for helping bring the prestigious competition to Punjab and said the occasion would allow local fans to watch international hockey at a historic ground.
Highlighting Punjab’s contribution to Indian hockey, the MP pointed to Sansarpur village in Jalandhar district, which he said had produced 14 international hockey players. Nine represented India, four played for Kenya and one represented Canada. The village has also contributed seven Olympic medals, he said.
Meet Hayer noted that Indian hockey stars Harmanpreet Singh, Manpreet Singh and Mandeep Singh began their hockey journeys at the Surjit Singh stadium. He described the opportunity for the players to compete before their home crowd as a proud moment for the state.
The Asian Champions Trophy will feature six teams — India, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, China and Bangladesh. Meet Hayer said nine players from Punjab were currently representing the country and appealed to people to support the national team from October 27 onwards.
He also urged parents to bring their children to the stadiums so they could experience international hockey and draw inspiration from the players.
The MP said the knockout matches, including the semi-finals and final, would be held in Mohali on November 4 and 5. He called on hockey enthusiasts across Punjab to attend the matches with their families and celebrate the state’s sporting heritage.
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