The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has named Nitin Kohli as its candidate from Jalandhar Central in the second list announced on November 12 for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. A businessman, sports administrator and political leader, Kohli has built his public profile around industrial development, sports promotion and community initiatives.
Currently serving as AAP's Halka In-charge of Jalandhar Central, Kohli has spent the past one-and-a-half years building his political and public presence in the constituency. His recent work in promoting grassroots sports through the 'Fit Central Jalandhar' initiative and his role in Punjab's successful hosting of the Hero Men's Asian Champions Trophy 2026 have brought his sports-oriented approach into focus.
From industrialist to political leader
Kohli is the Founder and Managing Director of Tracer (Hike Shoe Pvt. Ltd.), a sports footwear business. He is also Chairman of the Punjab Leather Federation and President of SPORTTX (Sports and Toys Exporters Association), representing interests connected with India's manufacturing and sports goods industries.
His professional journey also includes his association with Vijayanti, a family business involved in hockey equipment manufacturing. These roles have given him an association with Jalandhar's identity as an important centre for sports goods manufacturing.
Hockey Champions Trophy: A major sporting milestone
One of Kohli's most significant recent assignments has been his role in Punjab hockey administration. As President of Hockey Punjab and Vice President of Hockey India, he was associated with the organisation and successful hosting of the Hero Men's Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026.
For the first time, Punjab hosted the prestigious continental hockey tournament, with Jalandhar and Mohali serving as the two venues. Jalandhar hosted the opening ceremony and league-stage matches at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium, while the semi-finals and final were held at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali.
The tournament was a major milestone for Punjab's sporting landscape, bringing international hockey back to the state's traditional hockey heartland. The two stadiums were upgraded within approximately four months ahead of the competition.
Kohli, along with the sports administration and organising teams, was among the key figures associated with making the event a success. Following the tournament, he also expressed the ambition to bring more international hockey events to Punjab.
Fit Central: Transforming sports facilities in Jalandhar Central
At the constituency level, Kohli launched the 'Fit Central Jalandhar' initiative in August 2025, with the objective of making sports and fitness part of everyday life.
The project aims to develop modern sports facilities across all 23 wards of Jalandhar Central, including synthetic sports courts, floodlit playgrounds, turf walking tracks and recreational spaces.
Work began with facilities such as a synthetic volleyball court at Surya Enclave and a synthetic badminton court at Adarsh Nagar. A nature trail featuring greenery, walking facilities and sports infrastructure was also developed in the Old Baradari area.
The initiative has continued to expand, with additional sports courts, open spaces and fitness facilities being planned and developed across the constituency. The campaign is aimed at encouraging children, young people and senior citizens to adopt healthier lifestyles while providing better sporting opportunities at the neighbourhood level.
A recent addition to the campaign was the unveiling of sports-themed murals near DC Park in Old Baradari in October 2026, reinforcing the message of fitness and sports culture in public spaces.
Women's empowerment and social initiatives
Beyond business and sports, Kohli is also associated with social welfare initiatives. He founded Aaghaaz, an organisation focused on women's empowerment through vocational training and mentorship. According to his professional profile, the initiative has helped more than 3,000 women across Punjab move towards employment and financial independence.
His profile also lists contributions towards facilitating the marriages of more than 50 underprivileged girls and distributing over 150 professional-grade sports kits to young athletes from economically weaker backgrounds.
He also serves as Chairman of Cambridge International School Co-Ed, adding education to his range of professional and social engagements.
AAP's Jalandhar Central choice for 2027
With his name appearing in AAP's second candidate list, Kohli now moves into the electoral spotlight as the party's choice for Jalandhar Central.
His candidature brings together three prominent aspects of his public profile: his business background, his involvement in hockey administration and his constituency-level initiatives through Fit Central.
As the 2027 Assembly elections approach, his challenge will be to translate these initiatives and his organisational presence into electoral support while addressing the civic and development concerns of Jalandhar Central residents.
