Gurpreet Singh :- Punjab is set to mark a significant milestone in its sporting history as Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced that the state will host an international-level men’s Asian Hockey Championship for the first time. The announcement was made during a press conference at his Chandigarh residence.
The tournament is expected to feature the top six teams from Asia, with strong anticipation of India’s participation. Matches are scheduled to be held in Mohali and Jalandhar later this year, giving a major boost to Punjab’s status on the global sports map.
Highlighting the state’s sporting legacy, the Chief Minister noted that Punjab has previously hosted international hockey fixtures, and this development revives that rich tradition. He also revealed that efforts are underway to host annual multi-nation tournaments in the future.
In addition to hockey, Punjab has also secured hosting rights for the Under-13 National Badminton Championship after several decades, which will take place in Jalandhar.
The government has simultaneously focused on strengthening sports infrastructure and athlete welfare. The daily diet allowance for players has been increased to ₹480, and plans are in place to appoint dedicated chefs to ensure proper nutrition. Punjab has already enhanced its sports budget significantly, aiming to provide better facilities and training opportunities for athletes across the state.
