New Delhi [India], October 9 (ANI): Bangladesh have changed Pakistan within the males’s Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 after the latter withdrew from the six-team continental event, scheduled to be held from October 27 to November 5.
Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) president Mohyuddin Ahmed Wani had final month mentioned that the staff’s go to to India for the Hockey Asian Champions Trophy is topic to authorities clearance and the federation will observe no matter the federal government asks them to do, in line with a September report by Dawn.
With Bangladesh changing Pakistan, the event will function title holders and reigning Asian Games champions India, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, China and Bangladesh. Fresh from efficiently defending their Asian Games gold medal in Japan, five-time ACT winners India will enter the event because the top-ranked staff and can look to proceed their sturdy document within the competitors.
Notably, the match schedule for the Asian Champions Trophy has been introduced by the Asian Hockey Federation on Friday, with the event set to be held throughout two venues in Punjab – the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar and the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali.
Jalandhar will host all league-stage matches from October 27 to November 2, earlier than the motion shifts to Mohali for the enterprise finish of the event. The semi-finals and medal matches might be performed on the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium, with the semis scheduled for November 4 and the bronze-medal and gold-medal matches on November 5.
The event holds particular significance for Punjab, a state that’s considered the nursery of Indian hockey and has produced generations of iconic gamers who’ve contributed to the nation’s wealthy hockey legacy. The return of worldwide hockey to Punjab guarantees to deliver the game nearer to its passionate fan base whereas showcasing the state’s enduring reference to the sport.
The opening ceremony will happen on October 27, shortly earlier than India play Bangladesh of their marketing campaign opener.
The six groups will compete in a single round-robin league section, with every staff enjoying 5 matches. The prime 4 groups on the finish of the league stage will qualify for the semi-finals.
India will face Bangladesh on October 27, adopted by matches towards China on October 29, Japan on October 30, Malaysia on November 1 and South Korea on November 2. All 5 of India’s league matches are scheduled to begin at 1900 hrs IST.Â
The event may have three relaxation days on October 28, October 31 and November 3.
India are probably the most profitable aspect within the historical past of the Asian Champions Trophy, having gained the title in 2011, 2016, 2018 (joint winners with Pakistan), 2023 and 2024. The hosts will now purpose so as to add one other chapter to their spectacular document after they tackle Asia’s greatest in entrance of a passionate house crowd in Punjab.
“The announcement of the match schedule adds to the excitement for the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026. We are delighted to welcome the teams from across Asia to Punjab and look forward to witnessing some high-quality hockey,” mentioned Hockey India President, Dilip Tirkey.
Hockey India Secretary General, Shri Bhola Nath Singh, additionally shared his sentiments, saying, “With the schedule now announced, the countdown to the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 has truly begun. Hockey India is proud to host the participating nations and showcase the passion and hospitality of Punjab. We look forward to an exciting and competitive tournament that brings fans closer to the sport while giving every team an opportunity to perform at the highest level.” (ANI)