Punjab plans regular international hockey tournaments in Jalandhar

The Punjab plans to host regular national and international hockey tournaments in Jalandhar following the successful staging of the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy in Jalandhar and Mohali, said Hockey Punjab president and Hockey India vice-president Nitin Kohli.

Kohli, Deputy Commissioner Jalandhar Varjeet Valia, Police Commissioner Satinder Singh and Municipal Corporation Commissioner Surinder Singh expressed satisfaction over the successful organisation of the tournament and thanked the Punjab government, district administration and sports enthusiasts for their support.

Addressing the media, Kohli thanked Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, saying his leadership and support enabled Punjab to host the prestigious international hockey competition for the first time.

He said the stadiums in Jalandhar and Mohali were prepared and upgraded within a record four months, demonstrating administrative commitment and effort.

Kohli said Hockey India and the Asian Hockey Federation had appreciated the strong spectator turnout and support witnessed during the matches in Punjab. According to him, the attendance at the tournament was particularly encouraging compared with the previous 50 international tournaments organised in the country.

He said sports enthusiasts in Jalandhar and Mohali had experienced international-level hockey in their cities for the first time since Independence, adding that the enthusiastic response indicated a promising future for the sport in Punjab.

Kohli said the tournament’s success had opened opportunities for Punjab to host major international competitions. He added that efforts would be made at the appropriate level to bring the 2027 Junior Hockey World Cup to Punjab.

He also assured that initiatives would be taken to organise regular national and international competitions at Jalandhar’s hockey stadium, providing players opportunities to compete at home and spectators access to high-level hockey.

Kohli said the Punjab government was in the process of appointing a dedicated agency for stadium maintenance through an official tender process to ensure long-term upkeep of facilities and infrastructure.

The officials and Hockey Punjab president thanked residents of Jalandhar and Mohali for their participation and support in making the international tournament memorable.