CM Bhagwant Mann Welcomes Japan Hockey Team to Punjab
Synopsis
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann welcomed Japan's hockey team with dhol and bhangra at Mohali Airport ahead of the 9th Hockey Asian Champions Trophy — the first edition on Punjab soil — running across Jalandhar and Mohali from October 27 to November 5, 2026.
Key Takeaways
The 9th Hockey Asian Champions Trophy will be hosted in Punjab for the first time , running 27 October to 5 November 2026 .
Six nations will compete: India, Japan, South Korea, China, Malaysia, and Bangladesh .
The tournament opens at the Olympian Surjit Hockey Stadium, Jalandhar and the final is at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior Hockey Stadium, Mohali .
Japan's team received a traditional welcome with dhol beats and bhangra at Mohali Airport on October 23 .
CM Bhagwant Mann shared the welcome scenes on X, calling it a historic moment for Punjab's sporting identity.
To the thunder of dhol beats and the swirl of bhangra, Japan's national hockey team landed at Mohali Airport on Friday, October 23 — and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann made sure the welcome was anything but routine. Punjab is gearing up to host the 9th Hockey Asian Champions Trophy for the first time in the state's history, a moment the CM framed as a homecoming for a sport woven into Punjab's DNA.
Sharing the scenes on X in Punjabi, CM Mann wrote: 'ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੀ ਧਰਤੀ ਉੱਤੇ ਪਹਿਲੀ ਵਾਰ' — 'for the first time on the soil of Punjab' — underlining that this edition of Asia's premier men's hockey tournament carries special weight for the state. The Punjab government, he added, extends a warm welcome to all visiting players.
Two iconic stadiums, ten days of hockey
The tournament runs from 27 October to 5 November 2026, with six nations — India, Japan, South Korea, China, Malaysia, and Bangladesh — competing across two venues. The opening match will be played at the Olympian Surjit Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar, named after former Indian international Surjit Singh. The final will be decided at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior Hockey Stadium in Mohali, a ground that carries the name of three-time Olympic gold medallist Balbir Singh Sr. — arguably the greatest centre-forward in the history of the game.
The choice of venues is deliberate. Both stadiums honour Punjabi hockey legends, and hosting the continental championship across these two grounds plants the 2026 edition firmly in the heartland of Indian hockey tradition.
Punjab's hockey legacy meets continental stage
Punjab has long been the talent nursery of Indian hockey — a state whose villages and districts have produced a disproportionate share of Olympic medallists and World Cup squads across decades. Bringing a marquee continental event here is both a tribute to that history and a bid to reignite grassroots enthusiasm for a sport that faces stiff competition for young attention in the T20 era.
India periodically hosts continental hockey fixtures as part of a broader strategy to deepen the sport's domestic fanbase and justify investment in premium infrastructure. For the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab, co-hosting a nine-day international tournament — and putting the Balbir Singh Sr. stadium at its centre-piece — also signals a commitment to sports as a governance priority, not just a campaign talking point.
Japan's warm airport reception sets the hospitality tone early. Five more nations land next. The dhol, it seems, is just getting warmed up.
Point of View
It ties infrastructure investment to an emotive regional identity — hockey as Punjab's birthright — at a time when the party needs visible governance wins. The choice to split the tournament between Jalandhar and Mohali also distributes the political dividend geographically. Whether the fanfare translates into lasting grassroots hockey momentum, or fades after the closing whistle on November 5, will be the real test of intent.
NationPress
23 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the Hockey Asian Champions Trophy 2026 being held?
The 9th Hockey Asian Champions Trophy 2026 is being held in Punjab, India , from 27 October to 5 November 2026 . Opening matches are at Olympian Surjit Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar , and the final is at Olympian Balbir Singh Senior Hockey Stadium in Mohali .
Which teams are participating in the Hockey Asian Champions Trophy 2026?
Six national teams are competing: India, Japan, South Korea, China, Malaysia, and Bangladesh .
Who is Balbir Singh Sr., after whom the Mohali hockey stadium is named?
Balbir Singh Sr. was a legendary Indian hockey player from Punjab, widely regarded as one of the greatest centre-forwards in the sport's history. He won three Olympic gold medals with India in 1948, 1952, and 1956.
Why is Punjab hosting the Asian Champions Trophy for the first time?
Punjab has historically been the heartland of Indian hockey, producing a large share of the country's Olympic and World Cup players. The 2026 edition is the first time the tournament has been staged on Punjab soil, recognising the state's central place in the sport's heritage.
What did CM Bhagwant Mann say about the Hockey Asian Champions Trophy 2026?
CM Bhagwant Mann shared images of Japan's team being welcomed at Mohali Airport with dhol beats and bhangra on X, calling it a historic first for Punjab and extending a warm welcome from the Punjab government to all visiting players and teams.
