On Asian Champions Trophy, Kohli thanks CM Bhagwant Mann; says hosting international hockey in Jalandhar is a proud moment for Punjab
Jalandhar News: Hockey Punjab President Nitin Kohli has expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann for bringing the Men’s Asian Champions Trophy 2026 to Punjab. He said that hosting such a major international hockey tournament in the state reflects the Chief Minister’s vision for sports, respect for Punjab’s rich sporting legacy and his aim to make Punjab a leading sports hub in the country.
The formal schedule announcement of the Men’s Asian Champions Trophy 2026 was made in the presence of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Asian Hockey Federation Vice President Bhola Nath, Hockey India President R.P. Singh and Director General Commander R.K. Srivastava.
Nitin Kohli said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, a new approach and atmosphere around sports is emerging in Punjab. He said that bringing major international sporting events to Punjab, providing young athletes with a world-class platform and showcasing the state’s sporting potential to the world are important parts of the Chief Minister’s vision.
“I sincerely thank Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann for taking the initiative to bring this prestigious international tournament to Punjab. The Asian Champions Trophy is not just a hockey tournament, but a major opportunity to showcase Punjab’s sporting strength, our youngsters and our rich hockey legacy to the world,” Kohli said.
Kohli said one of the major strengths of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is his positive approach towards opportunities that can bring something new and better to Punjab.
He said, “Bhagwant Mann ji is among those personalities who never let an opportunity to do something good and new for Punjab go to waste. His vision for sports is not limited to hosting tournaments. He wants Punjab’s sporting legacy to become a strength for the future and wants our youngsters to get better opportunities, international exposure and a platform to dream bigger.”
‘Charda Punjab and Lehnda Punjab will play against each other’
Speaking about the India-Pakistan fixture in the tournament, Kohli said the match would carry a special emotional significance for Punjabis on both sides of the border.
“Charda Punjab and Lehnda Punjab will play against each other. For me personally, and for Punjabis across the world, this is a very emotional and special moment. To see India and Pakistan play hockey in Jalandhar, the heartland of hockey, will be a memorable occasion,” Kohli said.
On Punjab hosting the Men’s Asian Champions Trophy 2026, Nitin Kohli, Vice President of Hockey India and President of Hockey Punjab, said, “This is a huge achievement. I want to thank CM Bhagwant Mann from the bottom of my heart for fulfilling this dream of Punjabis, especially Pakistani Punjabis. This is a huge dream for me personally, as I have been involved in hockey for 40 years. I have been involved in Punjab hockey for the last three years. The CM’s involvement in Punjab hockey deserves a lot of credit for Punjab hockey, for Punjabis, for Punjab’s hockey players, and for the entire sports fraternity. I believe this is a huge achievement.”
The Asian Champions Trophy will begin on October 27 at the Olympian Surjit Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar. The tournament will feature India, Pakistan, Japan, Malaysia, China and Korea. The final will be played on November 5 at the Olympian Balbir Singh Hockey Stadium in Mohali.
On the matches being hosted in Jalandhar, Nitin Kohli said the city is deeply connected with the soul of Indian hockey.
“Jalandhar is not just a city, but a strong centre of Indian hockey. The city has produced Olympians and international players for the country and also has a globally recognised identity in sports manufacturing. Hosting the Asian Champions Trophy in such a city is a tribute to Jalandhar’s rich hockey legacy,” he said.
He specially thanked the Chief Minister for giving Jalandhar the opportunity to host the tournament.
“Watching some of Asia’s best hockey teams play in Jalandhar will be a proud moment for every hockey lover. This tournament will further strengthen Jalandhar’s identity as a hockey city,” Kohli said.
He said the biggest beneficiaries of the tournament would be children and young players of Punjab.
“Today, a child sitting in the stadium may watch an international player perform in front of him, and tomorrow that same child could be wearing the Indian team jersey. This is the real strength of major international sporting events — they create dreams, passion and confidence among youngsters,” he said.
Kohli also welcomed the decision to allow free entry for spectators for all matches. He said this would give children, students, families and hockey fans an opportunity to watch international hockey without any barrier and create an atmosphere of excitement around the sport in the stadiums.
He said Punjab has all the strengths required to become a leading sports hub in the country — sporting talent, a rich legacy, a strong sports manufacturing industry and the passion of its people for sports.
“Punjab’s biggest strength is our youth, our sporting talent and our sporting legacy. What is needed is the right vision and continuous support. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Punjab is moving in that direction, and the Asian Champions Trophy is an important milestone in this journey,” Kohli said.
Nitin Kohli said the international teams visiting Punjab would get an opportunity to experience not only hockey but also Punjab’s sporting culture, sports industry, food and heritage. This, he said, would also help showcase Punjab’s sporting and tourism potential at the international level.
He said Punjab must not only take pride in its past sporting legacy but also create new history.
“We cannot only say that Punjab has given great hockey players to the country. Our responsibility is to ensure that the next generation gets even better facilities, opportunities and international exposure. The Chief Minister’s vision has the potential to take Punjab forward in this direction,” he said.
Nitin Kohli thanked Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the Punjab Government, Hockey India and all officials associated with the tournament, and said Hockey Punjab would extend every possible support to make the historic tournament a success.
In the end, he said, “I once again sincerely thank Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. His spirit of doing something good and new for Punjab and his vision for sports can lay a strong foundation for generations to come. The Asian Champions Trophy is not just a tournament, but an important chapter in Punjab’s new sporting identity.”
