AI Generated Summary
- India clinched the Asia Cup title with a commanding 4-1 win over South Korea in Rajgir, securing a direct berth in the 2026 Hockey World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium.
- Known affectionately as “Sarpanch” after Prime Minister Narendra Modi used the moniker during a congratulatory call following the Paris Olympics bronze medal, Harmanpreet’s rise from a farming family to the pinnacle of international hockey has been a story of grit and perseverance.
- The golden glow of India’s Asia Cup hockey victory reached Punjab on Monday as captain Harmanpreet Singh and six of his teammates touched down at Sri Guru Ramdass Jee International Airport to a hero’s welcome from family, fans, and Sikh religious leaders.
The golden glow of India’s Asia Cup hockey victory reached Punjab on Monday as captain Harmanpreet Singh and six of his teammates touched down at Sri Guru Ramdass Jee International Airport to a hero’s welcome from family, fans, and Sikh religious leaders.
The celebration, however, was marked by a notable absence — no government or district administration representatives were present at the airport. According to Hockey Punjab’s executive member Gurmeet Singh Meeta, officials may have been occupied with ongoing flood relief and rehabilitation operations.
India clinched the Asia Cup title with a commanding 4-1 win over South Korea in Rajgir, securing a direct berth in the 2026 Hockey World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium. Punjab emerged as the powerhouse of this campaign, contributing nine of the 18 squad members, including Harmanpreet, Manpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Jugraj Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, and goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak.
In his remarks, Harmanpreet dedicated the win to those affected by the devastating floods in Punjab. His own village, Timmowal — just 10 kilometers from Amritsar — erupted in joy as news of the victory spread. Known affectionately as “Sarpanch” after Prime Minister Narendra Modi used the moniker during a congratulatory call following the Paris Olympics bronze medal, Harmanpreet’s rise from a farming family to the pinnacle of international hockey has been a story of grit and perseverance.
Hockey Punjab president and Hockey India vice-president Nitin Kohli lauded the achievement, calling it “a victory for all of Punjab” during these challenging times. He also announced a 10-year partnership with RoundGlass, pledging an unprecedented ₹2,500 crore investment for hockey’s development in the state.
“As players, we will stand by Punjab in its hour of need,” Kohli said, pledging support for flood-affected families. “The future of Indian hockey looks bright, and Punjab will remain at its heart.”
