Chandigarh, Nov. 5 -- Punjab is fully prepared to host the prestigious Hockey World Cup in 2030, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said on Thursday after the state successfully hosted the Asian Champions Trophy 2026, with India retaining the title by defeating Japan 4-1 in the final at Mohali.
Congratulating the people of Punjab on the successful organisation of the international tournament, Mann said hosting the competition for the first time was a historic achievement in the state's sporting journey and a stepping stone towards bigger international events. Governor Gulab Chand Kataria also congratulated the people of the state.
Mann said Punjab's deep-rooted association with hockey, its contribution of 77 Olympians and 48 Olympic medal winners, and the strengthening of sports infrastructure made it a natural destination for major international competitions.
He noted that Punjabi players had captained the Indian hockey team on 10 occasions at the Olympic Games. Eight players from Punjab represented India at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, while nine were part of the Paris 2024 contingent. Eight Punjab players, including captain Harmanpreet Singh, are also part of the current national team.
Highlighting infrastructure development, Mann said six new hockey astroturf grounds had been constructed during the government's tenure, while work on two more was underway. Besides, 18 six-a-side astroturf hockey grounds had been established to promote the sport at the grassroots level.
He said the government had introduced a new Sports Policy in 2023 and earmarked Rs 1,744 crore exclusively for sports for the first time.
The Chief Minister said international tournaments generate economic opportunities by boosting sports tourism, hospitality, the sports goods industry and allied sectors. He added that the government was committed to providing young talent with world-class facilities, professional coaching and financial support.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.