The ongoing Asian Hockey Championship in Jalandhar is not just bringing international hockey players to the city but is also creating fresh business opportunities for its sports goods manufacturing industry.
With teams from six countries competing in Punjab, local sports industry representatives believe the international event could give Jalandhar's sports businesses greater exposure, encourage new business connections and increase demand for locally manufactured products.
Jalandhar, widely known as one of India's major sports goods manufacturing hubs, has a long association with hockey. The city and its surrounding areas have produced several international players, while its industries manufacture sports equipment used by athletes across different levels. The hosting of an international hockey tournament has now brought the city's sporting identity into the spotlight.
Speaking about the business opportunities created by the championship, Maneesh Kohli, Director of Sporting Syndicate Pvt. Ltd., described the development as a positive opportunity for the local industry, he said the presence of international players and teams could provide greater exposure to Jalandhar's sports businesses, and according to him, international sporting events create opportunities for brands to connect with players, explore possible collaborations and build business relationships.
He also pointed out that such interactions could help local brands establish connections beyond their existing markets. The presence of international teams and officials gives businesses an opportunity to showcase their products and develop relationships that may prove useful in the future.
Sumit Sharma, Managing Director of Nova Sports & Fitness, also highlighted the potential benefits of hosting the championship in Jalandhar and he said the city is already recognised as both a sports hub and a manufacturing centre, making an international hockey tournament particularly important for its local industries.
According to Sharma, the popularity of hockey in the region has grown significantly, and hosting an international-level competition could further strengthen interest in the sport and he believes this could translate into increased demand for sports equipment and provide a boost to local manufacturing businesses.
He described the championship as a positive development for the overall sports industry, adding that greater interest in hockey could also motivate children to take up the sport and increased participation at the grassroots level could create more demand for hockey-related equipment over time.
The Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 is being hosted across Jalandhar and Mohali. Jalandhar's Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium is hosting all the league-stage matches from October 27 to November 2, while the semi-finals and final will take place at Mohali's Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium on November 4 and 5.
Six teams, India, Malaysia, Korea, China, Japan and Bangladesh, are participating in the championship.
The tournament also holds significance for Jalandhar because of the city's contribution to Indian hockey. Areas such as Sansarpur, Mithapur and Khusropur have produced generations of international players and Olympians.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, while inaugurating the championship, also highlighted the economic opportunities associated with hosting international sporting events, and said the benefits would extend beyond the hockey field, with potential gains for sports tourism, hospitality, the sports goods industry and other related sectors.
The state government has also expressed its ambition to host the 2030 Hockey World Cup, with the current championship being seen as an opportunity to demonstrate Punjab's ability to organise international sporting events.
For Jalandhar's sports industry, the immediate opportunity lies in the international exposure, business networking and renewed attention towards hockey. While the actual impact on sales and manufacturing demand will become clearer over time, local industry representatives see the championship as a positive development for the city's sports business ecosystem.
