Asian Champions Trophy in Punjab a special occasion for entire team, says Harmanpreet Singh

India captain Harmanpreet Singh says he will play an international tournament for the first time in front of his family in Punjab. | Photo Credit: RV MOORTHY

The upcoming Asian Champions Trophy in Punjab is going to be a “special occasion” for Indian men’s hockey team captain, Harmanpreet Singh, as well as his teammates from the state.

This will be the first time in 17 years that international hockey will be played in Punjab. The 2009 Punjab Gold Cup was the last international tournament held in the north Indian state.

“It’s going to be a special occasion for the entire team, especially for the players who belong to Punjab because it’s the first time that we will be wearing the India jersey at an international tournament in Punjab,” Harmanpreet said in a release.

“My entire family is expected to be at the stadium watching me play an international match together from the venue for the first time, including my father who has never seen me play for the country while sitting inside the stadium.”

Besides hosts India, the other participating teams in the tournament are Malaysia, South Korea, China, Japan and Bangladesh.

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India is the most successful team in the tournament, having won the title five times: in 2011, 2016, 2018 (as joint winners), 2023 and 2024.

The Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium at Burlton Park, Jalandhar, named after the celebrated defender and 1975 World Cup winner, will host the opening ceremony and league-stage matches from October 27 to November 2.

The tournament will then move to the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali for the semifinals and medal matches on November 4 and 5.

The tournament will see all six teams playing against each other once, with the top four teams at the end of the league stage qualifying for the semifinals.

Defending champion India will open its campaign against Bangladesh on October 27 in Jalandhar.