*CM Bhagwant Singh Mann Directs Departments To Ensure World-Class Arrangements For Asian Hockey Champions Trophy*

*Punjab Will Make Elaborate Arrangements For Asian Hockey Champions Trophy; State Must Set New Benchmarks In Hosting International Sporting Events: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*Opening Ceremony In Jalandhar On October 27; Matches To Be Held Till November 5: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*Statewide Trophy Tour, Student Participation & City Beautification To Build Excitement For Asian Hockey Champions Trophy: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

CHANDIGARH; 9th October 2026:Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has directed all departments to ensure world-class arrangements for the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy from October 27 to November 5, with a focus on seamless coordination, international-standard facilities, city beautification and hospitality. He also called for a statewide trophy tour and greater student participation to build public enthusiasm, asserting that Punjab must set new benchmarks in hosting international sporting events.

Chairing a review meeting, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “It will be ensured that the prestigious international sporting event becomes a landmark occasion in Punjab’s sporting history.” He directed all departments to work in close coordination and leave no stone unturned in providing world-class facilities to participating teams, officials, spectators and visitors.

The Chief Minister stated, “Punjab is renowned across the world for its rich hockey heritage and contribution to Indian sports. We must set new benchmarks in organising international sporting events and provide world-class facilities to participating teams, officials, spectators and visitors.”

He said that the participation of leading hockey nations, including India, China, Malaysia, Japan, Bangladesh and South Korea, would place Punjab in the international sporting spotlight and provide an opportunity to showcase its hospitality, infrastructure, sporting excellence and vibrant cultural traditions.

The Chief Minister said that the opening ceremony of the tournament would be held in Jalandhar on October 27, with matches scheduled from October 27 to November 5. He directed all departments concerned to complete preparations well in advance and ensure that the championship was organised with the precision and professionalism expected of a major international sporting event.

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann directed officials to ensure that every visiting delegation received a warm welcome and experienced the finest standards of hospitality throughout its stay. He emphasised that preparations must extend beyond the stadium to encompass the entire city, with particular attention to cleanliness, sanitation, beautification and public amenities.

He directed the Municipal Corporation, Jalandhar, to undertake comprehensive cleanliness drives, improve sanitation, maintain public spaces and ensure that the city presented a clean, welcoming and attractive appearance to international visitors. He also called for necessary beautification measures and instructed officials to ensure that roads leading to the stadium and other important locations were properly maintained, with recarpeting wherever required.

Highlighting the importance of hospitality, the Chief Minister directed officials to ensure comfortable and high-quality accommodation for participating teams and their support staff. He said that accommodation, transportation, security, food and other essential facilities must be coordinated meticulously so that players could concentrate entirely on their performances.

He also directed officials to ensure smooth transportation between hotels, venues and other designated locations, with appropriate coordination to avoid inconvenience or delays. Taking a detailed review of the arrangements, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann instructed all departments to verify preparedness at the ground level and immediately address any shortcomings.

“The success of an international tournament depends not merely on the readiness of the main venue but also on supporting infrastructure, accessibility, sanitation, traffic management and public amenities. Every logistical detail must be addressed before the arrival of international delegations,” he said.

Calling for widespread public participation, the Chief Minister directed officials to facilitate visits by school and college students so that young people could witness international hockey matches and draw inspiration from world-class players. “Sporting events of this stature should inspire a new generation to embrace sports, discipline and teamwork. Special attention must be given to making matches accessible to students and encouraging young people to connect with Punjab’s proud hockey legacy,” he said.

To generate excitement ahead of the championship, the Chief Minister directed officials to explore a statewide publicity campaign featuring the tournament trophy, or its replica, displayed in a specially designed SUV that would travel across Punjab. “The initiative will help build awareness, encourage public participation and bring the excitement of the international tournament to people in different districts,” he added.

He further said that a dedicated liaison committee would be constituted to ensure seamless coordination among government departments, tournament organisers and other stakeholders, enabling the championship to be organised efficiently and to the highest standards.

Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, Additional Chief Secretary Anurag Verma, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Dr Ravi Bhagat, Secretary Sports Varun Rujam, Secretary Information and Public Relations Puneet Goel and other senior officials were present at the meeting.

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*Punjab Will Set New Benchmarks In Hosting International Sporting Events; All Arrangements Must Meet Global Standards: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*Spectators’ Safety, Comfort & Convenience Must Remain Top Priority For Asian Cup Hockey: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*Dedicated Buses For International Teams, Robust Security & Seamless Crowd Management Must Be Ensured: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*CM Bhagwant Singh Mann Inspects Burlton Park Stadium; Directs Officials To Ensure World-Class Facilities For Asian Cup Hockey*

JALANDHAR; 9th October 2026:Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday evening conducted an on-the-spot inspection of Burlton Park Stadium in Jalandhar to review preparations for the upcoming Asian Cup Hockey tournament, directing officials to ensure world-class infrastructure, robust security, seamless transportation and comprehensive crowd-management arrangements.

Following a high-level review meeting in Chandigarh earlier in the day, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann visited the stadium to personally assess the progress of infrastructure development, renovation work and arrangements for participating teams and spectators. He directed the officers concerned to ensure that every aspect of the preparations reflects Punjab’s rich sporting legacy and organisational capabilities on the global stage.

Emphasising that spectators’ safety, comfort and convenience must remain the foremost priority, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “No stone will be left unturned to make this prestigious international sporting event a grand success. Punjab must set new benchmarks in hosting international sporting events, and every arrangement must meet international standards.”

The Chief Minister instructed officials to put in place a comprehensive crowd-management plan, robust security arrangements and a smooth entry and exit system. “The convenience, safety and comfort of spectators must remain our foremost priority. Visitors should not face any inconvenience before, during or after the matches,” he said.

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Hosting an international tournament of this stature is a matter of pride for Punjab. We are committed to providing an outstanding experience to players, officials, spectators and visitors from across the country and abroad. Every arrangement must reflect professionalism, efficiency and the highest standards of hospitality.”

During the inspection, the Chief Minister reviewed the newly installed lighting system, scoreboard and ongoing renovation work at the stadium. He directed officials to complete all facilities within the stipulated timeframe and ensure that every arrangement was thoroughly checked before the tournament begins. “The infrastructure must be fully functional and capable of meeting the requirements of an international-level sporting competition. There should be no shortcomings in the facilities being provided to the participating teams and spectators,” he said.

The Chief Minister further directed the authorities to ensure appropriate transportation facilities, including dedicated buses for players of international teams, in strict accordance with international protocols. “Players and officials from international teams must receive seamless logistical support. All departments must work in close coordination and strictly adhere to prescribed international protocols to ensure the smooth conduct of the tournament,” CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said.

Emphasising the importance of advance planning, the Chief Minister called for close coordination among the departments concerned to identify and address operational gaps well before the tournament. He directed officials to ensure proper access routes, efficient crowd regulation and streamlined spectator movement so that hockey lovers could enter the stadium without unnecessary delays.

“The enthusiasm of hockey lovers must be matched by a safe, well-organised and memorable experience at the venue. All decisions concerning tournament arrangements must be taken in coordination with the competent authorities and communicated clearly to every stakeholder,” he said.

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said Punjab had a glorious tradition of producing outstanding hockey players who had brought laurels to the country at national and international levels. “Hosting the Asian Cup Hockey tournament will provide another opportunity to celebrate Punjab’s rich sporting heritage, inspire young people to embrace sports and strengthen the state’s position on the international sporting map,” he said.

Cabinet Minister Mohinder Bhagat, President Hockey Punjab Nitin Kohli, Jalandhar Mayor Vineet Dheer and others were also present on the occasion.