Bhopal, November 14 (Yes Punjab News)
Bhopal, a city with a rich hockey heritage that has produced several Olympians and international players, is set to return to the Asian hockey spotlight as it prepares to host the Women’s Asian Hockey Champions Trophy 2026 from November 19 to 28.
Six teams — India, China, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and Thailand — will compete at the newly developed International Sports Complex in Nathu Barkheda, giving the historic hockey city an opportunity to showcase its sporting legacy and modern infrastructure.
Bhopal has been closely associated with Indian hockey for decades. Among its prominent players was Ahmed Sher Khan, a member of India’s gold medal-winning team at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. His son, Aslam Sher Khan, represented India at the 1972 Munich Olympics and played a key role in the country’s maiden Hockey World Cup triumph in 1975.
Inam-ur-Rehman, part of India’s bronze medal-winning team at the 1968 Mexico Olympics, and players such as Syed Jalaluddin Rizvi and Sameer Dad, who represented India at the 1984 Los Angeles and 2000 Sydney Olympics, respectively, also contributed to the city’s hockey legacy.
The tradition has continued through Madhya Pradesh’s sports academies. Bhopal’s Madhya Pradesh State Men’s Hockey Academy has produced Olympic medallists Vivek Sagar Prasad and Nilakanta Sharma. Vivek was part of India’s bronze medal-winning teams at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics, while Nilakanta represented the country at the Tokyo Games.
The Gwalior-based women’s hockey academy has also produced international players, including Sushila Chanu, who captained the Indian women’s team at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
The Madhya Pradesh government said hosting the continental championship would provide an international platform to showcase the state’s sporting tradition and infrastructure.
The government said the selection of Bhopal reflected its sports infrastructure, organisational capabilities and commitment to promoting sports. The Nathu Barkheda complex features a modern synthetic hockey turf and floodlight facilities. Bhopal’s men’s hockey academy also has two floodlit synthetic grounds and residential accommodation for 150 players.
India, a three-time winner of the tournament, will begin its campaign against Malaysia on November 19. The semi-finals are scheduled for November 27, followed by the final on November 28.
Entry for spectators will be free, the government said. The championship is also expected to inspire young athletes, particularly girls, by bringing leading Asian women’s hockey teams to Madhya Pradesh.
FOLLOW NOW
