Harmanpreet Singh Excited for Asian Champions Trophy in Punjab: My Father Will Watch Me Live for the First Time

Punjab, October 14 (Daily Kiran) : The Asian Champions Trophy 2026 is set to be a significant event for the Indian men’s hockey team, according to captain Harmanpreet Singh. Scheduled from October 27 to November 5, the tournament will mark the return of international hockey to Punjab.

India will compete against five teams: Malaysia, South Korea, China, Japan, and Bangladesh. Matches will take place in Jalandhar and Mohali. This will be the second time India hosts the men’s Asian Champions Trophy, following the event held in Chennai in 2023.

For Harmanpreet, this tournament is particularly special as he will have the chance to play in front of family members in his home state. He noted, “This is a special opportunity for the entire team, especially for players from Punjab, as it’s the first time we will wear the India jersey in an international tournament here.”

He expressed hope that his family would be present at the stadium, adding, “For the first time, they will see me play an international match together. My father will be there, and he has never seen me play for the country from the stands.” Harmanpreet is the first captain to lead a team to consecutive gold medals at the Asian Games.

This tournament also highlights Punjab’s longstanding contribution to Indian hockey. From grassroots academies to international platforms, the state has produced some of the sport’s most renowned players, including Udham Singh, Balbir Singh Sr., Manpreet Singh, and Harmanpreet himself.

Jalandhar has a rich hockey history, with communities in areas like Sansarpur and Meethapur nurturing talent for generations. The opening ceremony and league matches will be held at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Burlton Park from October 27 to November 2.

Following that, the tournament will shift to the Olympian Balbir Singh Sr. International Hockey Stadium in Mohali, where the semifinals and medal matches will take place on November 4 and 5. India enters the tournament as the reigning champions and the most successful team in its history, having won titles in 2011, 2016, 2018 (joint winners), 2023, and 2024. The current Asian Games champions will kick off their campaign against Bangladesh on October 27 in Jalandhar.

The six participating teams will face each other once in the league stage, with the top four advancing to the semifinals. This tournament not only presents an opportunity for India to defend its title but also allows the team to play in a region where hockey is deeply rooted in the culture.

Beyond the quest for continental glory, the return of international hockey to Punjab will showcase the region’s sports infrastructure and reconnect local fans with the national team. For players like Harmanpreet, this is a chance to represent India close to home, adding a personal dimension to this crucial event in the Asian hockey calendar.