CHANDIGARH, September 22
In a significant recognition of Punjab’s growing prominence on the international hockey map, the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) has invited Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and a delegation of the Punjab Government to Japan to witness the semi-finals and finals of the Women’s and Men’s Hockey competitions at the XX Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026.
The invitation comes at an important juncture as Punjab prepares to host the Men’s Asian Champions Trophy 2026 for the first time.
The invitation has been extended by Asian Hockey Federation President Fumio Ogura for the Women’s and Men’s Hockey semi-finals scheduled for September 30 and October 1, followed by the finals on October 2 and 3.
The AHF has stated that the participation of the Punjab Government delegation would provide first-hand exposure to the organisation and conduct of a major international sporting event.
The visit assumes particular significance as Punjab is gearing up to host the Men’s Asian Champions Trophy 2026 from October 27 to November 5. The prestigious tournament will be jointly hosted by Jalandhar and Mohali. Jalandhar will host the opening ceremony and league-stage matches, while Mohali will stage the semi-finals and final.
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The Asian Champions Trophy will be the first time Punjab hosts this prestigious international hockey tournament. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has described the event as an emotional homecoming of hockey to the land that has nurtured generations of Indian hockey players.
The invitation to the Chief Minister and the Punjab Government delegation comes as the state takes an active role in bringing international hockey back to Punjab and strengthening its identity as one of India’s prominent hockey centres.
The upcoming tournament will feature teams including India, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and China, among others, competing in Punjab.
According to the AHF, the experience gained by the Punjab Government delegation during the Aichi-Nagoya visit could be utilised in the organisation of the upcoming Asian Champions Trophy in Jalandhar and Mohali, as well as in hosting similar major sporting events in Punjab in the future.
The invitation also underlines the importance being attached to Punjab’s preparations for the Asian Champions Trophy as the state seeks to combine its rich hockey heritage with the infrastructure, organisational capabilities and international standards required to host a major continental sporting event.
The Asian Hockey Federation has requested confirmation of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s delegation and its details to facilitate the necessary arrangements for the visit.
