Asian Champions Trophy: Jalandhar and Mohali Hockey Pitches Ready for Top-Level Action

Punjab is getting ready to welcome some of Asia’s best hockey teams as it hosts the Hero Asian Champions Trophy for the first time. Ahead of the competition, the playing surfaces at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar and the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali have undergone maintenance to prepare them for international matches.

Hyderabad-based Great SportsTech Limited carried out the work as part of preparations for the tournament. The company used specialised Horger machines to clean and groom the artificial turf, helping restore the surface so players can move the ball smoothly and play at the pace expected at the highest level.

With the pitches prepared, attention now turns to the matches and the opportunity for hockey fans across Punjab to watch international teams compete on home soil.

Six teams, one continental title

The ninth edition of the Hero Asian Champions Trophy brings together six national teams: India, Bangladesh, China, Japan, Malaysia and South Korea.

The league stage is scheduled to begin in Jalandhar on October 27 and continue until November 2. The tournament will then move to Mohali, where the semi-finals and final are scheduled for November 4 and 5.

India will be defending its title, beginning its campaign against Bangladesh in Jalandhar. For the Indian team, the tournament offers a chance to compete for another continental trophy in a state with a long and proud hockey tradition.

Spectators can watch all matches free of charge, giving local fans an opportunity to see international hockey without buying tickets.

Why does hockey turf need regular maintenance?

Artificial hockey pitches may look smooth, but they need regular care to keep them in good playing condition.

Over time, dust and debris can collect between the fibres of the turf. This build-up can affect how quickly the ball travels and how evenly water drains from the surface.

That matters because international hockey is a fast game. Players need the ball to move predictably so they can pass accurately, control it under pressure and create scoring chances.

To prepare the two Punjab venues, the maintenance team used Horger machines designed specifically for hockey turf. The machines helped lift and groom the turf fibres and remove accumulated material. The team also checked the seams and inspected the drainage pipelines at both stadiums.

The aim was to ensure that the surfaces were ready for the demands of international competition, with consistent ball movement and effective drainage.

Jalandhar has a special connection with the company

The work in Jalandhar has an additional connection for Great SportsTech Limited. The company laid the FieldTurf playing surface at the Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in 2023.

The same pitch will now host India’s title defence, starting with the match against Bangladesh.

The stadium is also familiar to several Indian players who developed their hockey skills in the region. Playing an international tournament at a venue connected to their hockey journey can make the occasion especially meaningful.

Why is this tournament important for Punjab?

Punjab has produced generations of hockey players who have represented India at national and international levels. Hosting a major continental tournament gives the state an opportunity to showcase that sporting heritage.

For local fans, the competition offers a rare chance to watch teams from across Asia in person. For young hockey players, seeing international athletes up close can provide motivation and a better understanding of the skill, fitness and discipline required to compete at the highest level.

The tournament may also help bring greater attention to the facilities and sporting culture in Jalandhar and Mohali.

More than just five days of knockout hockey

Although the title will be decided in the semi-finals and final, the tournament’s impact could extend beyond the result.

International matches can encourage young players to take the sport more seriously, inspire families to support their children’s sporting ambitions and remind communities of the value of local sports facilities.

Good playing surfaces are part of that picture. Regular maintenance helps ensure that athletes can compete on a pitch that supports the speed and technical demands of modern hockey.

The bottom line

With maintenance completed at Jalandhar and Mohali, Punjab’s two venues are preparing to host the Hero Asian Champions Trophy. Six teams will compete for the title, while India will look to defend its crown in front of hockey fans in one of the country’s most recognised hockey regions.

For spectators, it is a chance to watch top-level hockey for free. For young players, it is an opportunity to see what the sport looks like at the international level and draw inspiration for their own journeys.