Jalandhar stars shine bright in India's hockey victory

India won the Hockey Asia Cup 2025 title in a thrilling final, with players from Jalandhar playing a pivotal role in the nation’s victory. The district’s continued legacy in hockey was on full display.

Former captain Manpreet Singh, along with Mandeep Singh, Hardik Singh and Sukhjeet Singh — all hailing from Jalandhar — were part of the winning squad. Sukhjeet Singh stood out by scoring a crucial opening goal in the final against Korea.

Sukhjeet's journey has been especially inspirational. Having suffered partial paralysis a few years ago, he made a remarkable comeback, debuting in the Olympics last year and securing a medal for India. In the Asia Cup final, he again proved his mettle.

Sukhjeet was merely five or six-year-old when he was given his first hockey stick. It was taller than him, so Sukhjeet's father cut it short according to his (Sukhjeet) height so that he could play it with ease. This is how his journey started.

Speaking to The Tribune, Sukhjeet’s father, Ajit Singh, shared his 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.”

Manpreet Singh and Mandeep Singh, both from Mithapur village in Jalandhar, also brought pride to their hometown with strong performances throughout the tournament.