Jalandhar, October 22: With just a few days remaining before the much-awaited Men's Asian Champions Trophy 2026, preparations at Jalandhar's Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium have entered their final stage. Hockey Punjab President and Aam Aadmi Party's Jalandhar Central constituency in-charge Nitin Kohli, along with Sports and Youth Affairs Department official Varun Roojam, visited the stadium on Thursday to review the arrangements ahead of the prestigious international hockey tournament.
During the inspection, the officials examined the preparations being made for participating teams, spectators and the smooth conduct of matches. Speaking to journalists, Nitin Kohli said that the tournament would begin in Jalandhar on October 27, while the concluding matches would be held in Mohali. He also announced that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann would inaugurate the championship, marking an important occasion for the state's sporting community.
Kohli described the hosting of the international tournament as a proud moment for Punjab, particularly for Jalandhar, a city with a long-standing connection to Indian hockey. He credited Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the Punjab Government for their efforts in bringing the competition to the state. According to Kohli, the event would provide an opportunity to showcase Punjab's sporting infrastructure and encourage greater participation in hockey among young players.
Providing an update on the preparations, Kohli said that the arrangements at Surjit Hockey Stadium had been completed and the Indian hockey team was already practising at the venue. Players from other participating countries are expected to arrive shortly and begin their training sessions ahead of the opening matches. He expressed confidence that the facilities would be ready to welcome international teams and thousands of hockey enthusiasts.
The championship will feature six countries, including India, Bangladesh, China, South Korea, Japan and Malaysia. Pakistan, which had initially been included among the participating nations, will not compete in the tournament, with Bangladesh taking its place in the revised lineup. Responding to questions about Pakistan's absence, Kohli also confirmed that Bangladesh would participate in the competition.
One of the major announcements for local sports enthusiasts is that spectators will be allowed to watch the matches free of charge. Kohli said that fans could obtain their entry passes through the online registration facility. Those unable to secure a pass online may approach the stadium with valid identification for assistance with entry arrangements, according to the information shared during the inspection. The initiative is aimed at making the tournament accessible to a wider audience and encouraging families, students and young hockey players to experience international-level competition.
Under the official schedule, Jalandhar will host the opening ceremony and all league-stage matches from October 27 to November 2. The tournament will then move to Mohali, where the semi-finals are scheduled for November 4, followed by the bronze-medal match and championship final on November 5. India's opening fixture will be against Bangladesh on October 27, providing an exciting start for home supporters.
Kohli appealed to hockey lovers across Jalandhar and neighbouring districts to turn out in large numbers and support the participating teams. He said the presence of enthusiastic spectators would create an encouraging atmosphere for the players and help make the international event a memorable sporting occasion.
The Asian Champions Trophy is expected to bring renewed attention to Jalandhar's rich hockey heritage and strengthen Punjab's reputation as an important centre for the sport. With preparations approaching completion and the participating teams set to compete for continental honours, the city is gearing up to welcome another significant chapter in its sporting history.
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