Team India will enter the Asian Champions Trophy (ACT), which gets underway here in Punjab on Tuesday. Having secured a direct LA 28 ticket and the Asian Games gold medal already, the five-time champions will begin their campaign against Bangladesh in their opening match.
But beyond these headlines, the tournament will also mark a return of international hockey to Punjab after a gap of 17 years and, more importantly, to Jalandhar, which is considered the ‘Mecca of Indian Hockey’.
No one is more delighted by the return of international hockey to Punjab than former India centre-half Sardar Singh. Having missed the opportunity to play in the state during the 2009 Gold Cup, Singh believes the Asian Champions Trophy (ACT) is a significant event that should be held regularly. He also stressed the need to organise more high-quality international tournaments across the country, giving young players the chance to test themselves against top-level competition and gain valuable exposure to the international standards of the game.
“This is important because youngsters need to understand the difference between watching a match on television and experiencing it live. When you watch good players and high-quality matches up close, you learn and pick up many things. These experiences can help young players improve their game,” Singh said during an exclusive chat with myKhel.
Indian Hockey’s Punjab Story
Punjab’s contribution to Indian hockey spans generations, with the state continuing to supply a significant share of talent to the national team. More than half of the current squad reportedly hails from Punjab, underlining its enduring influence on the sport.
The upcoming tournament will offer India captain Harmanpreet Singh, along with Jugraj Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh, Rajinder Singh, Hardik Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Dilpreet Singh and Mandeep Singh, a chance to compete in their home state with family and friends cheering them on. For Harmanpreet, having his loved ones in the stands is set to make the occasion even more memorable.
The event will also celebrate Punjab’s rich hockey legacy, recalling legendary players such as Balbir Singh Senior, Udham Singh Kular, Prithipal Singh, Ajit Pal Singh, Surjit Singh Randhawa and Pargat Singh. Among the state’s most celebrated hockey hubs is Sansarpur village in Jalandhar, widely known as the ‘Mecca of Indian hockey’. The village has produced 14 Olympians and approximately 300 other players who have represented the country at national and international levels.
How is Captain Harmanpreet Singh looking at ACT?
India captain Harmanpreet Singh struck an upbeat note at the pre-tournament press conference attended by the captains of all participating teams, expressing confidence in his side’s preparations and ambitions.
“Every team is here to compete and win the tournament. All the teams are strong, and we do not want to take any opponent lightly. Everyone has come here to give their best,” Harmanpreet said.
He added that India’s experience over the years had helped the squad develop greater maturity, stressing the importance of maintaining a consistent approach throughout the competition. “We have gained a lot of experience and matured as a team. We will approach every match with the same mindset and give every opponent the respect they deserve,” he said.
Head coach Craig Fulton also welcomed the opportunity to play in front of Indian supporters, with the team eager to draw energy from the home crowd. “We can’t wait to feed off the home crowd. There’s nothing like playing a tournament in India, and we’ve missed it,” Fulton said.
However, India will be without experienced midfielder Manpreet Singh, who sustained a calf injury during a training session. Vivek Sagar Prasad has been brought into the squad as his replacement.