India beats Japan 4-1 in Mohali final to retain title; Mann highlights Punjab’s hockey legacy, expanding sports infrastructure and ₹1,744-crore dedicated sports budget
SAS Nagar (Mohali), November 6: Punjab has set its sights on hosting the prestigious Hockey World Cup in 2030, with Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann asserting that the successful organisation of the Asian Champions Trophy 2026 has demonstrated the state’s growing ability to stage major international sporting events.
India’s emphatic 4-1 victory over Japan in the final at the Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali brought the tournament to a memorable close, as the hosts retained the coveted title before a packed stadium. Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and Chief Minister Mann congratulated the people of Punjab, describing the successful event as an important milestone in the state’s sporting journey.
Mann said hosting the Asian Champions Trophy for the first time had strengthened Punjab’s credentials as a destination for international competitions. He expressed confidence that the state was now prepared to take on the responsibility of organising the 2030 Hockey World Cup.
Emphasising Punjab’s historic association with the sport, the Chief Minister said it was difficult to imagine the journey of Indian hockey without the contribution of players from the state. From legendary Olympians Balbir Singh Senior, Udham Singh, Prithipal Singh, Ajit Pal Singh and Surjit Singh to contemporary stars such as Harmanpreet Singh, Manpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh and Rupinder Pal Singh, Punjab has consistently produced players of international standing.
According to Mann, the state has contributed 77 hockey Olympians between the 1928 Amsterdam and 2024 Paris Olympic Games, while 48 players from Punjab have won Olympic medals. Punjabi players have also captained the Indian hockey team at the Olympic Games on 10 occasions, reflecting their enduring influence on the country’s sporting history.
He recalled that eight players from Punjab represented India at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, while nine were part of the Paris 2024 contingent, led by Manpreet Singh and Harmanpreet Singh respectively. Eight Punjab players, including Harmanpreet, are also part of the current Indian team.
The Chief Minister singled out Jalandhar and its surrounding villages for their contribution to hockey, noting that Sansarpur, Khusropur and Mithapur have collectively produced more than 20 Olympians. He described the region as a major centre of the state’s hockey culture, where generations of players have emerged through village-level sporting traditions.
Highlighting the government’s efforts to strengthen facilities, Mann said six new hockey astroturf grounds had been constructed during the present government’s tenure, while work on two additional grounds was underway. Eighteen six-a-side astroturf facilities had also been established to encourage participation and develop talent at the grassroots level.
He pointed to the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium as an important centre for nurturing young players. At its Punjab Institute of Sports Centre and Khelo India Centre, 102 and 33 hockey players respectively are currently receiving specialised training.
Mann said the state had introduced a new Sports Policy in 2023 and earmarked a dedicated budget of ₹1,744 crore exclusively for sports. The objective, he said, was to provide emerging athletes with better infrastructure, professional coaching and financial support to compete at national and international levels.
The Chief Minister also stressed the wider economic value of hosting international tournaments. Such events, he said, inspire young people to take up sports while creating opportunities in tourism, hospitality, sports manufacturing and allied sectors.
The tournament’s concluding ceremony combined sporting celebrations with Punjab’s cultural identity. Spectators witnessed performances of Gatka and Bhangra, with the latter emerging as a major attraction during the closing programme.
Following India’s victory, Governor Kataria and Chief Minister Mann presented a special jersey to Indian player Hardik Singh in recognition of his 200th international appearance. Mann also handed over gold medals to the victorious Indian players and interacted with members of the Indian and Japanese teams.
Earlier, Malaysia defeated South Korea to secure third place in the competition, which drew thousands of spectators to the Mohali stadium.
Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath appreciated the Chief Minister and the Punjab Government for successfully organising the tournament. Principal Secretary Sports Varun Rujam, Hockey Punjab President Nitin Kohli and other officials were also present.
The successful conclusion of the championship has given Punjab an opportunity to build on its hockey heritage and strengthen its ambition of hosting an even bigger global event in 2030.
