Asian Champions Trophy: Hockey returns to Punjab after 17 years as India bid for another ACT title

ByTech Word News

Image credit: Hockey India India will start their campaign as favourites, when the Asian Champions Trophy (ACT) gets underway in Punjab on Tuesday. The five-time champions will take on Bangladesh in their opening game, looking to build on their gold medal-winning performance at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.The tournament is special for one more reason. International hockey is returning to Punjab after 17 years, giving several Indian players a chance to play in front of their families and home fans.The last international hockey tournament in the state was the Gold Cup in 2009.

A special occasion for hockey stars of Punjab

Punjab has played a major role in Indian hockey for decades. More than half of the current Indian team hails from the state, which has produced several top players over the years.Indian captain Harmanpreet Singh, Jugraj Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh, Rajinder Singh, Hardik Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Dilpreet Singh and Mandeep Singh will get the opportunity to play in their home state in front of family and friends.For Harmanpreet, the presence of his family in the stands is expected to make the occasion even more special.The tournament will also bring back memories of some of India’s greatest hockey players, including Balbir Singh Senior, Udham Singh Kular, Prithipal Singh, Ajit Pal Singh, Surjit Singh Randhawa and Pargat Singh.The village of Sansarpur in Jalandhar is often called the “Mecca of Indian Hockey”. It has produced 14 Olympians and about 300 other national and international players.India head coach Craig Fulton is also looking forward to the team’s return to Punjab.“…we can’t wait to feed the home crowd. There’s nothing like playing a tournament in India and we missed out,” he said.However, India will be without veteran midfielder Manpreet Singh who injured his calf in training. Vivek Sagar Prasad replaced him in the squad.

India wants to extend its record

India is the highest ranked team in the competition and is ranked eighth in the world. They are also the most successful team in the tournament’s history, having won the title five times — in 2011, 2016, 2018, 2023 and 2024. The defending champions have retained the core of the Asian Games gold-winning team with a few changes.Goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak replaced Mohith HS. Young defender Amandeep Lakra and midfielder Aditya Lalage have also been given the opportunity to prove themselves at international level.India will take on Bangladesh, who were replaced by Pakistan after pulling out of the tournament due to security concerns.After the opening game, India will play China on October 29, Japan on October 30, Malaysia on November 1 and Korea on November 2.The top four teams in the league stage qualify for the semi-finals. The semi-finals and final will be held in Mohali on November 4 and 5.

Malaysia and Japan could test India

With Pakistan absent, Malaysia is expected to pose the biggest challenge for India. Both sides have fought tough battles in the past and India cannot afford to take the Malays lightly.India beat Malaysia 5-1 in the Asian Games final, but the upcoming tournament will provide another test for Harmanpreet and his teammates.Korea has struggled to maintain its former status in international hockey, but Japan remains capable of upsetting stronger teams. Japan gave India a tough fight in their recent meeting at the Asian Games before losing 0-2.India will need to stay focused throughout the competition if they want to add another ACT title to their record.

Four older players could start in the final

The tournament could also mark the end of the international careers of four experienced Indian players — Mandeep Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas and Nilakanta Sharma.All four were part of India’s medal-winning teams at the Olympics and Asian Games. It is reliably ascertained that ACT could be their ultimate task for the country.The quartet wanted to continue playing, but Hockey India’s top brass decided the team needed a smooth transition as preparations for the 2028 Olympics began.India secured participation in the Los Angeles Games by winning gold at the Asian Games. ACT could therefore provide an opportunity to rate younger players while allowing older members to contribute one final contribution.

ACT: Opening Day Programs

  • Malaysia vs China – 1pm
  • Japan vs. South Korea – 3:15 p.m
  • India vs Bangladesh – 7pm

ACT: Team India

Goalkeepers: Suraj Karkera, Krishan Bahadur PathakDefenders: Sanjay, Harmanpreet Singh (captain), Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh, Amandeep LakraMidfielders: Rajinder Singh, Aditya Arjun Lalage, Nilakanta Sharma, Hardik Singh, Vivek Sagar PrasadForwards: Shilanand Lakra, Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh