Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab media in-charge Baltej Pannu has appealed to people across the state to turn out in large numbers for the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy 2026 matches in Jalandhar and Mohali, urging families and hockey enthusiasts to extend a warm welcome to all six participating teams. He said entry for spectators would be completely free.
Addressing a press conference, Pannu said Punjab was preparing to witness a historic moment as the international hockey tournament brought together teams from India, Bangladesh, China, Japan, South Korea and Malaysia. He thanked Indian hockey authorities for choosing Punjab to host the competition and said the event would provide an opportunity to celebrate the state's rich sporting heritage.
“Punjab is going to witness a historic moment in its sporting history. It is a matter of great pride that a state which has made an immense contribution to Indian hockey is hosting an international tournament of this scale. I appeal to people across Punjab to come with their families and enjoy the matches, as entry will be completely free,” he said.
Punjab’s Contribution to Indian Hockey
Highlighting Punjab’s legacy in the sport, Pannu said the state had produced 77 hockey Olympians from the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics to the 2024 Paris Olympics, with 48 of them winning Olympic medals.
He noted that the Indian hockey team had won eight Olympic gold medals, one silver medal and four bronze medals. Punjabi players have also captained the national team on 10 occasions, underlining the state's contribution to India's hockey achievements.
Recalling the achievements of legendary players Udham Singh and Balbir Singh Sr., Pannu said Udham Singh had won three Olympic gold medals and one silver medal, while Balbir Singh Sr. had secured three Olympic gold medals.
He also highlighted Balbir Singh Sr.'s extraordinary performance in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics final, where he scored five goals, a record-setting achievement recognised in hockey history and the Guinness World Records.
Punjab’s Role in India’s Recent Olympic Success
Pannu said Punjab had continued to contribute significantly to India's international hockey achievements. The Indian men's hockey team won bronze medals at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and the Paris Olympics in 2024. Punjab had nine players in the Tokyo squad and eight in the Paris squad.
He added that Punjabi players Manpreet Singh and Harmanpreet Singh had captained the national team at the Olympics. According to Pannu, nine players from Punjab are part of the current Indian men's hockey team, including captain Harmanpreet Singh.
He also referred to India's 1975 Men's Hockey World Cup victory under the captaincy of Punjab's Ajitpal Singh, as well as the country's Junior Hockey World Cup triumphs in 2001 and 2016, associated with captains Gagan Ajit Singh and Harjeet Singh, respectively.
Pannu said hockey remained deeply rooted in Punjab's sporting culture, with generations of players developing their skills through dedication and regular practice on village fields and local playgrounds, even before synthetic pitches became widespread.
Bhagwant Mann Government Focuses on Sports Development
Crediting the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government with renewed emphasis on sports, Pannu said the state had prioritised infrastructure development, athlete welfare and grassroots participation.
He said the state's sports budget had been increased to more than ₹1,700 crore, while approximately 3,100 playgrounds had been developed across Punjab, with many made available to local communities.
Pannu also highlighted the Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan initiative, which aims to encourage participation in sports across age groups and communities. He said the government was focusing on playground development, access to sports kits and opportunities for young athletes to participate in organised competitions.
According to Pannu, investment in sports infrastructure and grassroots participation is important not only for strengthening Punjab's sporting legacy but also for encouraging young people to stay away from drugs and embrace discipline, confidence and achievement through sports.
He urged residents to attend the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy matches in Jalandhar and Mohali, support the participating teams and help create a vibrant atmosphere for international hockey in Punjab.
