Chandigarh, October 9, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has directed all departments concerned to ensure world-class arrangements for the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy, scheduled to be held from October 27 to November 5, with the opening ceremony taking place in Jalandhar on October 27.
Chairing a review meeting on Friday, Mann stressed the need for close coordination among departments, international-standard facilities, city beautification and quality hospitality for participating teams, officials and spectators. He also called for a statewide trophy tour and greater participation by students to build excitement around the tournament.
“It will be ensured that the prestigious international sporting event becomes a landmark occasion in Punjab’s sporting history,” the Chief Minister said, directing officials to leave no stone unturned in making the championship a success.
Mann said Punjab’s rich hockey heritage and contribution to Indian sports made the tournament an opportunity to showcase the state’s sporting infrastructure, cultural traditions and hospitality to an international audience.
The participation of leading hockey nations, including India, China, Malaysia, Japan, Bangladesh and South Korea, would bring Punjab into the international sporting spotlight, he said.
The Chief Minister directed departments to complete preparations well in advance and ensure that the event was organised with the professionalism expected of a major international tournament.
He asked officials to ensure that visiting delegations received a warm welcome and had access to comfortable accommodation, reliable transportation, security, quality food and other essential facilities throughout their stay.
Emphasising that preparations must extend beyond the stadium, Mann directed the Municipal Corporation, Jalandhar, to undertake comprehensive cleanliness drives, improve sanitation and maintain public spaces. He also called for beautification measures and proper maintenance of roads leading to the stadium and other important locations, including recarpeting wherever necessary.
Officials were instructed to coordinate transportation between hotels, venues and designated locations to prevent delays and inconvenience. Mann also called for ground-level inspections to identify and address shortcomings before the arrival of international delegations.
“The success of an international tournament depends not merely on the readiness of the main venue but also on supporting infrastructure, accessibility, sanitation, traffic management and public amenities. Every logistical detail must be addressed before the arrival of international delegations,” he said.
The Chief Minister also emphasised the importance of involving students in the sporting event. He directed officials to facilitate visits by school and college students so they could watch international hockey matches and draw inspiration from elite players.
“Sporting events of this stature should inspire a new generation to embrace sports, discipline and teamwork. Special attention must be given to making matches accessible to students and encouraging young people to connect with Punjab’s proud hockey legacy,” Mann said.
To build public enthusiasm ahead of the championship, he directed officials to explore a statewide publicity campaign featuring the tournament trophy or a replica displayed in a specially designed SUV. The vehicle would travel across Punjab to promote awareness and encourage people in different districts to participate in the event.
Mann further announced that a dedicated liaison committee would be constituted to coordinate among government departments, tournament organisers and other stakeholders to ensure the smooth conduct of the championship.
Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, Additional Chief Secretary Anurag Verma, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Dr Ravi Bhagat, Secretary Sports Varun Rujam, Secretary Information and Public Relations Puneet Goel and other senior officials attended the meeting.
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