Jalandhar Heroes Power India to Asia Cup Glory

India clinched the Hockey Asia Cup 2025 in a nail-biting final, with players from Jalandhar once again at the heart of the nation’s triumph, reaffirming the district’s unmatched legacy in the sport.

Among the champions were four sons of Jalandhar—former national captain Manpreet Singh, alongside Mandeep Singh, Hardik Singh, and Sukhjeet Singh—whose combined efforts played a decisive role in overcoming Korea in the title clash.

The night, however, belonged to Sukhjeet Singh. The forward, whose career had been nearly cut short by a life-altering injury that left him partially paralysed, opened the scoring in the high-stakes final. His remarkable comeback—debuting in the Olympics last year and helping India secure a medal—has made him an emblem of resilience for aspiring athletes nationwide.

Speaking to The Tribune, Sukhjeet’s father, Ajit Singh, beamed with pride. “I only realised he had scored when I saw the replay. I felt so happy—he has made us proud. The team played exceptionally well,” he said.

Manpreet Singh and Mandeep Singh, both hailing from Mithapur village, also shone throughout the tournament, adding to the district’s decorated history in Indian hockey. With Hardik Singh’s commanding midfield presence, the Jalandhar quartet left an indelible mark on the championship.

As the final whistle blew, the tricolour waved high, and once again, Jalandhar’s name was etched into the golden pages of Indian hockey history.