Pakistan will be among the six countries that would compete in next month’s Men’s Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament here, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said on Monday, citing the union government’s policy which allows the arch-foes to play on Indian soil during multi-lateral engagements.

The Asian Champions Trophy, to be held from October 27 to November 5, will feature India, Pakistan, China, Japan, Malaysia, and Korea and will be played at Jalandhar and Mohali’s hockey stadiums.

Two reserve teams — Oman and Bangladesh — have also been named for the tournament in case of pullouts. The event, which is held under the aegis of the Asian Hockey Federation, is an annual competition but was not held last year.

India enter the competition as defending champions, having won the title in 2023 (Chennai) and 2024 (Hulunbuir, China).

“There is no problem in multi-national tournaments. May be individual series (India and Pakistan) cannot take place,” Mann said when asked about Pakistan’s participation and whether the requisite clearances have been taken for it.

The central sports policy with regards to Pakistan bars any bilateral engagement with the country against which India launched a brief military offensive just last year after the Pahalgam terror attack killed 26 people.

However, adhering to the Olympic Charter, the Sports Ministry has stated that the two countries can compete against each other in multi-lateral events and India would not stop athletes from across the border to play here for such engagements.

Despite this, Pakistan had withdrawn from the Junior World Cup of hockey in Tamil Nadu last year, citing high tensions between the two countries in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor.

Mann said league stage ACT matches will be played at Jalandhar, while the semi-final and the final will be played in Mohali stadium.

Assuring full support for hosting the event, Mann said Punjab is committed to ensuring the successful organisation of the first-ever tournament in the state’s history.

Hockey India secretary general Bhola Nath Singh, who was also in attendance at Monday’s event, said the relationship between the hockey federations of India and Pakistan is “excellent”.

“I want to say this on record that we share very good relations between the hockey federations of India and Pakistan.

“You must have noticed that whenever I go, if the Indian team defeats Pakistan, I meet the Pakistani team first. The boys (players) there also show immense respect,” said Singh.

The Asian Champions Trophy will commence on October 27 in Jalandhar and the final match will be held in Mohali on November 5.

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Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has held his own amid the club’s underwhelming start to the new campaign. The Red Devils have two wins and two defeats from five games in all competitions, with both losses coming in the Premier League.

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The English giants are now 13th in the league table after four games and are already eight points behind leaders Arsenal. Michael Carrick’s team have failed to pick up from their blistering end to last campaign, in which they finished third in the table.

Mainoo, though, has maintained his spectacular rise since the English manager’s arrival in January and has featured in every game so far this season. INEOS invested over £150 million in the centre of the park this summer, but the 21 year old already looks a permanent fixture in Carrick’s midfield.

Kobbie Mainoo Stats: 2026/27 Season

Mainoo was also impressive in the dismal 1-0 defeat to Manchester City last weekend at home. United legend Ryan Giggs has now explained what the Englishman needs to do to replicate an iconic Old Trafford midfielder.

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Giggs praises Mainoo

Speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents, Giggs pointed out that Mainoo tried too hard in the final minutes of the Manchester derby. He said: “I felt sorry for the last 10 minutes because he was still trying to do.”

“He got the ball taken off him because he was still trying to do the right thing, and he just didn’t have the energy to do it.”

“But I talked about dribble to pass. You know, it’s very hard in midfield to sort of like when you are against someone who dribbles against you to defend against it, and he does it really well.”

“It’s not pace, it’s acceleration. So, he’s not quick quick, but he has got that acceleration, and he’s, you know, strong physically. He’s a very, very good player.”

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Mainoo can be as good as Paul Scholes

In many ways, United legend Paul Scholes is the benchmark of a central midfielder, the metronome who kept the entire team ticking. The Ginger Prince’s ability to see a pass and execute it with pinpoint accuracy earned him the nickname SatNav.

When asked if Mainoo has the ability to reach Scholes’ vision, Giggs said: “Yeah, I mean, that should be the first pass a midfielder looks at really, you know, ball in behind that 30-yard switch potentially.”

“That ball forward should be the first pass that you think about. So, if he adds that to his game, as well as the dribbling as well as the short passing, then who knows? He’s still young.”

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“As a midfield, central midfielder for Man Utd, he’s still young, he’s still learning the game, and he’s having to learn on the job.”

Final Thoughts

Just like Scholes, Mainoo rose through the ranks at Old Trafford before establishing himself in the senior side. While it is too soon to compare him to the Ginger Prince, early signs surely suggest that the youngster can be a club legend.

Kawhi Leonard is finally a Raptor. After weeks of delay due to the ongoing investigation surrounding him and the Clippers, the forward’s return to Toronto is official. However, he is reportedly waiving his $7.45 million trade kicker to facilitate the move, leaving fans stunned.

Fullcourtpass reported Leonard’s decision to waive the kicker, while quoting Blake Murphy.

“Kawhi Leonard is waiving his entire trade kicker in the deal to the Raptors, per @BlakeMurphyODC,” Fullcourtpass wrote.

According to Murphy, Leonard foregoing the kicker was a near-necessity, as it would have affected Toronto’s cap.

“Kawhi Leonard is waiving his entire trade kicker, per a source,” Murphy wrote. “Was a near-necessity, cap-math-wise, unless Raptors expanded the deal. Most of the details within here still hold. Raptors hard-capped, likely to carry just 13 to start the season (or 14 with Bradley converted).”

Leonard’s decision to give up $7.45 million quickly turned heads, with fans stunned that he left money on the table.

“First time in his life he gave up some $,” a fan wrote.

However, not all fans were shocked, as a few praised the former Finals MVP, believing his waiver reflected his love for the place and the franchise.

“Now that’s a man that cares about his team,” a fan added.

With Leonard set to earn $50.3 million this year, he was entitled to a trade kicker from the Raptors. Under NBA rules, the kicker is typically set at 15% of a player’s salary, which would have given the forward roughly $7.5 million this year.

However, Toronto only had $5.4 million in first-apron space. Paying Leonard the full trade kicker would have pushed the Raptors beyond the second luxury-tax threshold, which they will now avoid because of Leonard waiving the money.

Former NBA player blasts Kawhi Leonard for changing the trajectory of his career

Kawhi Leonard’s stint with the LA Clippers officially ended on Monday. However, his exit was unceremonious as the franchise was found guilty of circumventing the salary cap by using a third party that reportedly paid Leonard $28 million.

While Leonard escaped the investigation with a $700,000 fine, Danilo Gallinari was not happy about it. The former NBA player claimed the forward should pay the entire $50 million amount as a fine, while claiming Leonard changed the trajectory of his career.

“He should pay all of that $50 million. He changed the trajectory of my career and put me in a difficult situation by sending me away from Los Angeles,” Gallinari said.

The former NBA player slammed Leonard, saying the forward’s desire to play alongside a bona fide star led to the trade for Paul George. However, Gallinari suffered multiple injuries after leaving Los Angeles and exited the NBA in 2024.