A hockey tournament opened Wednesday at Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Burton Park with Punjabi cultural performances and an offer from Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to host the 2030 FIH World Cup. Punjabi, however, was absent from signage inside the stadium.
Hoardings, perimeter boards and scrolling displays carried messages in English and Hindi promoting Punjab as the host. No signage in Punjabi, the state’s official language, was visible inside the venue.
The opening ceremony featured Punjabi folk performances and bhangra before a crowd that filled roughly three-quarters of the stadium. Mann met with families of current and former hockey players and encouraged Punjabis to attend the tournament, highlighting the state’s contribution to Indian hockey.
A drone show and a digital presentation traced the history of Indian hockey, with a focus on Punjab’s role in the sport. Fireworks accompanied the song “Jai Ho.”
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Those honored during the ceremony included Colonel Balbir Singh of Sansarpur, the parents of Indian captain Harmanpreet Singh and the family of former captain Manpreet Singh.
Former India captain, Olympian and three-time legislator Pargat Singh was absent. In a statement issued earlier in the day, Mann said his invitation extended to everyone, regardless of political affiliation, and that all former Olympians and international players had been invited to attend.
Former players introduced at the ceremony included Harpreet Singh, Baljit Singh Dhillon, Daljit Singh Dhillon, Jugraj Singh, Ripudaman Singh, Jagdeep Singh Gill, Colonel Balbir Singh, R.P. Singh, Gagan Ajit Singh and Rupinderpal Singh.
Hockey India Secretary-General Bhola Nath Singh said Punjab would receive priority when opportunities arose for India to host future FIH tournaments.
On the field, Asian Games silver medalist Malaysia defeated China 5-4 in the opening match. Malaysia also converted the tournament’s first penalty stroke.
Japan beat South Korea 3-2 in the second match. India faced Bangladesh in the third and final game of the day, following the opening ceremony.
