SAS Nagar, October 21:- Punjab hosting the Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament for the first time reflects the state’s rich sporting heritage and its growing recognition on the international sports map. Mohali’s selection as the venue for crucial matches, including the semi-finals and final of this prestigious tournament, is a moment of pride for the city’s residents. This was stated by Mohali Municipal Corporation Mayor Sarabjit Singh Samana while speaking to the media after visiting the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Phase 9 today to review the arrangements. He said that this international sporting event would not only give Mohali a new identity on the global stage but also strengthen the passion for hockey among Punjab’s youth and open new avenues for hosting international sporting competitions in the state.
The Mayor said that the tournament, scheduled to be held in Jalandhar and Mohali from October 27 to November 5, would further strengthen Punjab’s rich hockey heritage and inspire young people to take up sports. He said that Mohali would host two semi-finals on November 4, followed by the third-place match and the final on November 5, further enhancing the city’s prominence on the international sports map.
He stated that teams from India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, China and Bangladesh would participate in the tournament. Entry for spectators at all matches would be completely free, enabling hockey enthusiasts to reach the stadium in large numbers and cheer for the players.
The Mayor said that the government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann was spending Rs 25.40 crore on successfully organising the tournament. In addition, Rs 14 crore was being spent on upgrading the Olympian Surjit Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar, while Rs 8.96 crore was being spent on the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali. He said that this investment in sports infrastructure would also help the state host international-level competitions in the future.
He said that the Punjab Government had allocated a sports budget of Rs 1,743 crore for the current financial year to promote sports. Athletes preparing for the Olympics were being provided financial assistance of Rs 15 lakh, while those preparing for the Asian and Commonwealth Games were receiving Rs 8 lakh. Since 2022, cash awards worth Rs 135 crore had been given to more than 40,000 athletes.
The Mayor said that Olympic medal winners were awarded Rs 3 crore for a gold medal, Rs 2 crore for a silver medal and Rs 1 crore for a bronze medal. These initiatives encouraged athletes to bring honour to the country and the state at the international level.
He said that the successful organisation of an international tournament such as the Asian Champions Trophy would open up new possibilities for hosting major sporting events in Punjab. The proposal for Punjab to submit a bid to host matches of the 2030 Hockey World Cup was also an important step in this direction.
The Mayor appealed to city residents and hockey enthusiasts to attend the matches at the stadium in large numbers, encourage international players and demonstrate Punjab’s sporting spirit.
Deputy Mayor Harpal Singh Channa and District Sports Officer Umeshwari Sharma were also present on the occasion.
