Jalandhar, Nov 2: Olympic and World Cup gold medalist Floris Jan Bovelander arrived in Jalandhar to attend the ongoing Hero Asian Champions Trophy 2026 at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium, affirming that his visit was inspired by the personal invitation and passion for the sport shown by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.
Recalling their meeting during the Chief Minister’s visit to the Netherlands in April earlier this year, the former Dutch drag-flicker expressed his delight at being remembered by the state leadership.
He declared that Chief Minister Mann’s dedication to elevating hockey in the region played a pivotal role in his decision to travel to Punjab for this prestigious international event.
Highlighting the historic contributions of Asian nations to the global sporting movement, the legendary athlete stated that the growth of international hockey owes immense gratitude to the contributions of India and Pakistan. Drawing on his long association with Indian hockey throughout his playing career from 1985 to 1996, during which he featured in 241 international fixtures and scored 215 goals, Bovelander asserted that the identity of Indian hockey remains deeply intertwined with Punjab and its iconic Sikh players, maintaining that the game in India is incomplete without the state’s historical contributions.
During his schedule at the venue, Bovelander participated in a specialized joint training initiative with 37 coaches from across Punjab alongside young trainees of the government-run Surjit Hockey Academy. Joined by Olympic medalist Gurjant Singh, Dronacharya Awardee Jiwanjot Singh Teja, and coach Avtar Singh, the former Dutch star personally conducted drag-flick masterclasses, demonstrating technical maneuvers and sharing insights gained over decades of high-level competition.
In recognition of his lifelong dedication to the sport, representatives of the Sports Department, Punjab, presented a formal felicitation to the visiting legend. Overwhelmed by the hospitality of the local authorities and sports fraternity, Bovelander confirmed his intention to attend the upcoming matches of the tournament scheduled at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior Hockey Stadium in Mohali on November 4 and 5.
