Punjab is set to host the Asian Hockey Championship for the first time, with the tournament scheduled to begin on October 27 and conclude on November 5, marking a historic moment for the state.
Sharing details, Hockey Punjab President and Hockey India Vice President Nitin Kohli said that an inspection team from Mohali has reached Jalandhar to review the preparations. The team will submit its report to Hockey India, which will then forward it to the Asian Hockey Federation before the final schedule is officially announced.
Kohli informed that the opening and closing matches will be held in Mohali, while all other matches will take place at Surjit Hockey Stadium (Burlton Park) in Jalandhar.
He added that top teams including India, Pakistan, China, Korea, Japan, and Malaysia are expected to participate, with the possibility of more teams joining the tournament.
During the inspection, Hockey India Director (Operations) Vikram Singh, Olympian hockey player and Assistant Director, Punjab Sports Department Gurjant Singh, and Senior Deputy Mayor of Jalandhar Balbir Singh Bittu, Harmik Singh Pawar, Sanjeev Kumar along with other officials, visited the Surjit Hockey Stadium to review infrastructure and preparedness.
Kohli stated that the stadium will undergo a complete facelift before the event, and a separate practice ground is also being prepared. The inspection report is expected within the next 2–3 days.
He further said that the Burlton Park project is in its final stage, and efforts are being made to inaugurate the ₹70–80 crore project alongside the tournament.
In conclusion, Nitin Kohli, in his capacity as AAP Central constituency in-charge, said that the Punjab government is fully committed to making the event a success and giving the state a strong presence on the international sporting map.
