Chandigarh, Oct 2026 : Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has directed all concerned departments to ensure world-class arrangements for the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy, scheduled to be held from October 27 to November 5, with a focus on interdepartmental coordination, international-standard facilities, city beautification and hospitality.
The Chief Minister also called for a state-wide trophy tour and greater participation of students to build public enthusiasm for the tournament. He stressed that Punjab should set new benchmarks in hosting international sporting events.
Chairing a high-level meeting to review preparations for the championship, Mann said the prestigious international sporting event should establish a new milestone in Punjab’s sporting history. He instructed all departments to work in close coordination and ensure that participating teams, officials, spectators and visiting guests receive world-class facilities.
“Punjab is known across the world for its rich hockey heritage and its immense contribution to Indian sports. We should set new benchmarks in hosting international sporting events and provide world-class facilities to participating teams, officials, spectators and guests,” the Chief Minister said.
With leading hockey nations, including India, China, Malaysia, Japan, Bangladesh and South Korea, expected to participate, Mann said the tournament would place Punjab at the centre of international sporting attention. It would also provide an opportunity to showcase the state’s hospitality, infrastructure, sporting achievements and cultural traditions.
The inaugural ceremony will be held in Jalandhar on October 27, with matches scheduled from October 27 to November 5. Mann directed the departments concerned to complete all preparations well in advance and ensure that the championship is organised in accordance with the standards and professional practices required for a major international sporting event.
Emphasising hospitality, the Chief Minister instructed officials to extend a warm welcome to every delegation and ensure a memorable experience throughout their stay. He said preparations should extend beyond the stadiums, with particular attention to cleanliness, beautification and public amenities across the host cities.
The municipal corporations of Jalandhar and Mohali were directed to undertake extensive cleanliness drives, improve sanitation and maintain public spaces to ensure that the cities present a clean and attractive appearance to international visitors. Officials were also asked to beautify the cities and ensure proper maintenance and repair of roads leading to stadiums and other important venues.
Mann stressed the need for comfortable, quality accommodation for participating teams and their support staff. He directed officials to make adequate arrangements for lodging, transport, security, food and other essential services so that players could concentrate on their performances.
He also called for smooth transportation between hotels, match venues and designated locations to prevent inconvenience and unnecessary delays. Departments were instructed to inspect arrangements on the ground and immediately address any shortcomings.
“The success of an international tournament depends not only on the readiness of the main venue but also on infrastructure, accessibility, cleanliness, traffic management and public amenities. Every aspect of logistical support must be taken care of before international delegations arrive,” Mann said.
To encourage public participation, the Chief Minister asked officials to facilitate visits by school and college students to matches, allowing them to witness international hockey and draw inspiration from world-class players.
He said sporting events of this scale could motivate the younger generation to embrace sports, discipline and teamwork. Special attention, he added, should be given to connecting young people with Punjab’s proud hockey legacy.
Mann also directed officials to prepare a state-wide promotional campaign featuring the tournament trophy or its replica displayed in a specially designed SUV that would travel across Punjab. The initiative, he said, would raise awareness, encourage public participation and generate excitement among people in different districts.
A dedicated coordination committee will also be constituted to ensure seamless cooperation among government departments, tournament organisers and other stakeholders, enabling the championship to be conducted efficiently and to the highest standards.
The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary K.A.P. Sinha, Additional Chief Secretary Anurag Verma, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Dr Ravi Bhagat, Sports Secretary Varun Roojam, Information and Public Relations Secretary Puneet Goyal and other senior officials.
