SAS Nagar (Mohali), November 5, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab is fully prepared to host the Hockey World Cup in 2030, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said on Thursday after the successful conclusion of the Asian Champions Trophy 2026 in Mohali, asserting that the tournament had demonstrated the state’s growing capacity to organise major international sporting events.
Congratulating the people of Punjab alongside Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, Mann said hosting the tournament for the first time was a milestone in the state’s sporting journey and a stepping stone towards bigger international events.
India retained the Asian Champions Trophy with a 4-1 victory over Japan in the final at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium. Malaysia defeated South Korea to secure third place.
Highlighting Punjab’s contribution to Indian hockey, Mann said the state had produced 77 hockey Olympians between the 1928 Amsterdam and 2024 Paris Olympics, with 48 players winning Olympic medals. Punjabi players, he added, had captained India’s Olympic hockey teams on 10 occasions.
He recalled the contributions of legendary players, including Balbir Singh Senior, Udham Singh, Prithipal Singh, Ajit Pal Singh and Surjit Singh, as well as contemporary stars such as Harmanpreet Singh, Manpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh and Rupinder Pal Singh.
The Chief Minister noted that eight Punjab players represented India at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and nine were part of the Paris 2024 contingent. He also highlighted the hockey traditions of Jalandhar and villages such as Sansarpur, Khusropur and Mithapur, which have collectively produced more than 20 Olympians.
On infrastructure development, Mann said six new hockey astroturf grounds had been constructed during his government’s tenure, while work on two more was underway. The state had also established 18 six-a-side astroturf grounds to promote hockey at the grassroots level.
He said the Punjab government had introduced a new Sports Policy in 2023 and earmarked ₹1,744 crore exclusively for sports. At the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar, 102 players at the Punjab Institute of Sports Centre and 33 at the Khelo India Centre are receiving specialised hockey training, he added.
Mann said international tournaments could inspire young athletes while generating opportunities in sports tourism, hospitality, the sports goods industry and allied sectors. He described Punjab’s hospitality and sporting culture as strengths in attracting global events.
During the closing ceremony, Mann and Governor Kataria presented a special jersey to Hardik Singh in recognition of his 200th international appearance. The Chief Minister also handed gold medals to the victorious Indian team and interacted with players from India and Japan.
A cultural programme featuring Gatka and Bhangra performances formed part of the celebrations. Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath praised the Punjab government for organising the tournament.
Principal Secretary Sports Varun Rujam and Hockey Punjab President Nitin Kohli were among those present.
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