29 October 2026 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : The absence of Punjab Congress president and former Indian hockey captain Pargat Singh from the inauguration ceremony of the Asian Champions Trophy in Jalandhar became a talking point on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. While Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and several former hockey Olympians attended the opening ceremony at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium, Pargat’s absence prompted questions among spectators and sports enthusiasts.
Pargat Singh, who represents Jalandhar Cantonment as an MLA, is a prominent figure in Indian hockey. His contribution to the sport and his association with the city made his absence particularly noticeable at an event celebrating Punjab’s hockey heritage.
Government Says Pargat Singh Was Invited
According to officials involved in organising the tournament, Pargat Singh had been invited to the opening ceremony, and the invitation had been received. A senior government functionary rejected suggestions that political differences were responsible for his absence.
The official said Pargat’s achievements for Punjab and the country should be respected beyond political considerations. However, the organisers did not provide a definitive explanation for why he did not attend.
Pargat Singh was unavailable for comment when the report was filed. Consequently, the reason for his absence remained unclear.
Political Commitments May Have Played a Role
Questions also emerged over whether Pargat Singh was occupied with political engagements. A senior official suggested that he might have been attending a Congress protest in Mansa following his appointment as Punjab Congress president.
However, this explanation was not independently confirmed. Another possibility raised in discussions was whether the invitation process had been affected by political differences, although the government maintained that Pargat had been invited.
There was no confirmed evidence establishing the reason for his absence, leaving the issue open to speculation.
Bhagwant Mann Inaugurates the Hockey Tournament
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann inaugurated the ninth edition of the Asian Champions Trophy at the Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar. The event marked the first time Punjab hosted the international men’s hockey tournament.
Addressing the gathering, Mann highlighted Punjab’s longstanding contribution to Indian hockey and expressed hope that hosting major international competitions would strengthen the state’s position as a destination for sporting events.
The tournament features six national teams: India, China, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and Pakistan. Jalandhar is hosting the opening ceremony and league-stage matches, while the semi-finals and final are scheduled to take place in Mohali.
The inaugural event attracted hockey fans, former international players and young athletes from sports academies across the region.
Former Olympians Attend the Ceremony
Several former Indian hockey players and Olympians attended the ceremony, celebrating the state’s rich sporting legacy. The gathering included prominent names such as Col Balbir Singh, Rajinder Singh Senior, Balbir Singh Randhawa, Balwinder Singh Shammi, Gagan Ajit Singh, Gurbaj Singh, Gurjit Kaur, Rupinder Pal Singh and Gurjant Singh.
The presence of former players highlighted Punjab’s contribution to Indian hockey across generations. Pargat Singh’s absence stood out because he is also a former India captain and one of the state’s recognised hockey personalities.
Born in Mithapur, Jalandhar, Pargat represented India at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. He later served as captain of the national team and received the Arjuna Award in 1989 and the Padma Shri in 1998.
After retiring from international hockey, he held administrative responsibilities in Punjab’s sports department before entering politics.
Asian Champions Trophy Brings Hockey Back Into Focus
The tournament is being viewed as an opportunity to celebrate Punjab’s sporting culture and encourage young people to take up hockey. The state has produced numerous international players and Olympic medallists, and Jalandhar remains closely associated with the sport.
India began its campaign with a 13-0 victory over Bangladesh on the opening day, drawing an enthusiastic response from local spectators.
The tournament will continue in Jalandhar through the league stage before moving to Mohali for the knockout matches. Hosting the competition in two Punjab cities is also expected to bring attention to the state’s sports infrastructure and its long association with hockey.
Although the opening ceremony was intended to celebrate the sport, Pargat Singh’s absence became an additional talking point. With no confirmed explanation from the former captain, the circumstances surrounding his non-attendance remain unresolved.