National Coaching Camp for Indian Hockey Team Starts at PU

Chandigarh, July 6, 2026: The National Coaching Camp for the Indian Men’s U-18 Hockey Team started today at Panjab University Campus. The camp was inaugurated by PU Vice Chancellor Prof. Renu Vig.
The camp is being organised in association with Hockey India as part of India’s preparations for the AHF Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship 2026, scheduled to be held in Oman from July 20 to 25, 2026. The Panjab University camp will run from July 6 to 17, 2026.
Notably, this is the first national-level Indian hockey coaching camp being hosted by Panjab University after more than five decades. The last such camp was organised at the University in 1975.
Addressing the players and coaching staff, Prof. Vig congratulated the young athletes on earning a place in the national camp. She urged them to strive for excellence and bring laurels to the country in the upcoming championship.
Prof. Vig interacted with the players and coaching staff and conveyed her best wishes for a successful campaign in the forthcoming championship. She invited Hockey India to organise more national coaching camps at Panjab University and highlighted the University’s rich academic and sporting legacy since its establishment in 1882. She noted that Panjab University has been closely associated with Indian hockey and has produced and nurtured large number of hockey players who have excelled in Olympics, Asian Games, and other international tournaments.
Earlier, PU Director of Sports Dr. Rakesh Malik, welcomed the players, coaches and support staff. He said it was a matter of pride for the University to host a national coaching camp after more than five decades. He reiterated the University’s commitment to supporting Indian sport through world-class infrastructure and training facilities. He also thanked the PU Vice Chancellor for her constant encouragement and support towards the promotion of sports at the University.
Former Hockey Captain and Head Coach of the Indian Men’s U-18 Hockey Team Sardar Singh thanked Prof. Renu Vig and Dr. Rakesh Malik for the excellent arrangements. He said the quality of the hockey infrastructure and support systems at Panjab University would significantly aid the team’s preparations for the AHF Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship. While appreciating the University’s sporting environment and support extended to the players and coaching staff, Mr. Singh informed that he would recommend more such training camps of the Indian Hockey Team at the PU Campus.
Dr. Gurcharan Singh Gill, Associate Professor, Department of Physical Education, SGGS College, Sector 26, Chandigarh, Camp Coordinator; Rajnish Mishra, Assistant Coach; Damanpreet Singh, Physical Trainer; and Sahil, Physiotherapist, have been entrusted with the smooth conduct of the camp and training sessions.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by the entire contingent of Indian hockey players, coaches and support staff, along with senior officials of Panjab University. The camp is expected to provide an ideal environment for the Indian Men’s U-18 Hockey Team to fine-tune its preparations ahead of the continental championship in Oman.