Jalandhar, October 26: With the Hero Men’s Asian Champions Trophy 2026 set to begin in Jalandhar on Tuesday, October 27, the captains of six participating nations addressed a press conference ahead of the international hockey tournament. The players expressed confidence in their respective squads, highlighted their preparations and emphasised the importance of delivering consistent performances against strong opponents.
The prestigious championship will feature India, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, China and Bangladesh. The league-stage matches will take place at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Burlton Park, Jalandhar, from October 27 to November 2, while the semi-finals and medal matches will be held in Mohali on November 4 and 5.
During the pre-tournament media interaction, the captains described the championship as an important opportunity to assess their teams against some of Asia’s strongest hockey sides. They said their players were determined to give their best throughout the competition, with particular emphasis on teamwork, discipline and making the most of scoring opportunities.
One of the captains acknowledged that his squad included several relatively inexperienced players who would be competing in a major international tournament. He expressed confidence in their abilities, explaining that although some newcomers had limited international exposure, they were familiar with the team's playing system and tactical approach. He also encouraged younger players to remain confident, avoid unnecessary pressure and concentrate on their natural game.
Malaysia's captain spoke about the confidence gained from the team's silver-medal performance at the Asian Games. He said the achievement had provided encouragement to the squad and that the players were looking to carry that momentum into the Asian Champions Trophy. The Malaysian captain also praised Indian hockey player Manpreet Singh for his performances in previous tournaments, while making it clear that Malaysia would be aiming for strong results in the upcoming competition.
Other participating captains shared similar expectations, stating that every match would require careful preparation and a determined approach. For some international players, the championship marks their first experience of competing in Punjab, adding further significance to their participation. The captains acknowledged that familiarity with opponents, tactical discipline and the ability to adapt during matches would be important factors in determining their teams' performances.
The Indian team's recent success at the Asian Games in Japan has also added to expectations surrounding the hosts. India enter the championship following their gold-medal victory at the 2026 Asian Games, where they successfully defended their title. The achievement has generated additional excitement among hockey supporters ahead of the international competition in Punjab.
The captains also highlighted the competitive nature of international hockey, acknowledging the high standards established by leading teams across the world. They stressed that none of the six Asian sides could afford to underestimate their opponents, as every participating nation had prepared extensively for the tournament. The teams are expected to focus on correcting previous mistakes, improving coordination and maintaining consistency throughout the championship.
Meanwhile, preparations have been completed at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium, which has undergone extensive upgrades over approximately four months. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is scheduled to attend the opening ceremony on October 27 at around 5 PM. The renovated venue is expected to provide an international-standard playing environment for the participating teams and spectators.
The opening day will feature Malaysia against China at 1 PM, followed by Japan against South Korea at 3:15 PM. Hosts India will begin their campaign against Bangladesh at 7 PM, according to Hockey India's published fixtures.
With six competitive teams, international-standard facilities and considerable enthusiasm among hockey supporters, Jalandhar is preparing for a major sporting occasion. The tournament also presents an opportunity to showcase Punjab's long-standing hockey tradition while encouraging a new generation of players to pursue the sport.
For permission to reuse our original reporting or images, contact The Jalandhar Times.
