Free Entry for All Asian Champions Trophy Hockey Matches in Punjab

Hockey India announced on Tuesday, 20 October, that fans will get free entry to all 20 matches of the men’s Asian Champions Trophy, to be played in Jalandhar and Mohali in Punjab from 27 October to 5 November, PTI reported. The federation said the move is meant to fill the stands and bring spectators closer to top-level international hockey; fans need to register for free passes on its ticketing partner’s website, ticketgenie.in.

Jalandhar League Games, Mohali Finals

The league matches from 27 October to 2 November will be played at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar, while the semi-finals and medal matches on 4 and 5 November move to the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali. India open against Bangladesh on 27 October, then play China on 29 October, Japan on 30 October, Malaysia on 1 November and South Korea on 2 November.

Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey said free entry would give more supporters a chance to watch international hockey, and Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh said the sport has “a special place in Punjab”. The Jalandhar stadium was upgraded for the tournament with new broadcast rooms, a media centre and high-mast lighting, The Tribune had reported in June. For more Indian sport, see IPB’s report on Deepthi Jeevanji’s Asian Para Games gold and other Quick Reads.

Source: Hockey India announcement, as reported by PTI via ThePrint. Also based on reporting by Free Press Journal and The Tribune.

Image: Sarabjit Singh / The Tribune.