Patiala News:Hero Hockey Asian Champions Trophy-2026 Trophy Tour receives warm welcome in Patiala, leaves for next phase
Competition between six Asian countries to begin in Punjab from October 27
Polo Ground hockey team defeated Punjab Sports University team 1-0 during exhibition match
The trophy tour of the Hero Asian Champions Trophy-2026, the first hockey tournament to be played on Punjab soil, was given a grand welcome upon its arrival in Patiala. After staying overnight at the Polo Ground, it was sent off with pomp and show today for the next leg.
District Sports Officer Navjot Singh Dhaliwal said that on this occasion, Vice Chancellor of The Maharaja Bhupinder Singh Punjab Sports University, Patiala Dr. Pushpinder Singh Gill, Olympian and Arjuna Awardee (Hockey) Dr. Rupa Saini, Director of the University Dr. Amarpreet Singh and Principal of Physical College Harmanpreet Kaur were specially present.
Meanwhile, a match was organized at Polo Ground, Patiala between the hockey team of Polo Ground and the hockey team of The Maharaja Bhupinder Singh Punjab Sports University, Patiala. In this match, the team of Polo Ground, Patiala performed brilliantly and defeated the university team by a margin of 1-0.
The District Sports Officer said that the aim of this trophy tour is to create enthusiasm among sports lovers towards the prestigious international hockey tournament being held in Punjab and to motivate the youth to join hockey. He said that this statewide tour will conclude in Jalandhar on October 26.
*Appreciation for the efforts of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann*
Dr. Pushpinder Singh Gill said that while appreciating the efforts made by Punjab Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann to host the Asian Champions Trophy in Punjab, he said that it is a matter of pride for the hockey players and sports lovers of the state.
He said that the competitions of this prestigious tournament to be held from October 27 to November 5, 2026 will be held in Jalandhar and SAS Nagar (Mohali). League matches of teams from six countries will be held in Jalandhar from October 27 to November 2, while both the semi-finals will be played in Mohali on November 4 and the third place match and final on November 5.
Teams from India, Bangladesh, Japan, China, South Korea and Malaysia will participate in this tournament.
He said that such international competitions will not only inspire young players but also further strengthen the sports culture in Punjab.
On this occasion, Olympian Rupa Saini said that it is a matter of pride for Punjab that the state has got the opportunity to host such a prestigious hockey competition. She said that the Indian hockey team has won this title four times and has won it jointly once. She expressed hope that this time too the competition will be very exciting and the Indian team will create history again.
The Olympian said that it is a matter of pride to host competitions between world-renowned hockey teams in Punjab. He said that the successful organization of this tournament will pave new avenues for Punjab to host more big international hockey competitions in the future.
He said that the trophy tour will attract the youth towards hockey and motivate them to go to the stadium and watch the brilliant performances of the players live instead of on television.