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The inaugural India Hockey 360 Festival is set to transform Chandigarh into a hub for ice hockey and roller hockey enthusiasts as leading international coaches, sports organisations, and industry experts gather in the city on August 1 and 2. The two-day event aims to promote the growth of ice hockey and roller hockey in India by providing players, coaches, and families with access to world-class training, coaching education, and grassroots development opportunities.

The festival is being jointly organised by Tulsea Sports Marketing (TSM), a multicultural sports marketing company with offices in Mumbai, New York, and Los Angeles, and renowned National Hockey League (NHL) broadcaster Randip Janda. Organisers say the initiative seeks to strengthen connections between India's emerging hockey community and established international hockey organisations while creating a sustainable pathway for the sport's long-term development in the country.

According to the organisers, India Hockey 360 will bring together international experts, professional coaches, sports administrators, and aspiring athletes under one platform. The festival is designed to promote skill development, coaching excellence, and greater awareness of both ice hockey and roller hockey among Indian audiences.

A major objective of the event is to introduce young athletes and families to the sport while providing existing players and coaches with opportunities to learn from experienced professionals who have worked at the highest levels of international hockey.

The festival has received support from some of the most respected names in the sport, including the National Hockey League (NHL), the Vancouver Canucks, Bauer Hockey, and the Ice Hockey Association of India (IHAI). Several other NHL organisations, hockey partners, and community groups have also extended their support, reflecting growing international interest in developing ice hockey and roller hockey in India.

Randip Janda, host of Hockey Night in Canada Punjabi and the NHL's first full-time South Asian expert commentator, said the festival represents an important opportunity to build stronger ties between India's sporting community and the North American hockey ecosystem.
"Hockey has given me incredible opportunities throughout my career, and bringing India Hockey 360 to Chandigarh is especially meaningful.

 

As someone who speaks Punjabi and understands the deep passion for sport across this region, I'm excited to help connect international hockey expertise with the next generation of players and coaches in India," Janda said.

One of the highlights of the festival will be the participation of Harry Mahesh, a member of the coaching staff of the Abbotsford Canucks, who recently won the Calder Cup championship. Mahesh will lead player development sessions and share his professional coaching experience during the Coaches Summit, offering participants valuable insights into modern training methods and athlete development.

Speaking about the initiative, Tulsea Sports Marketing partner Sreesha Vaman said the festival reflects the company's broader mission of connecting global sports organisations with the South Asian community while encouraging greater participation in emerging sports.

"India has tremendous potential to grow both ice hockey and roller hockey by connecting passionate sporting communities with global expertise. At Tulsea Sports Marketing, we help sports organisations authentically engage the global South Asian diaspora. India Hockey 360 is a natural extension of that mission. By bringing together international partners and local stakeholders, we're creating opportunities that can have a lasting impact on the sport in India," Vaman said.

In addition to coaching programmes, the festival has been designed as a family-friendly event to encourage public participation. A free "Try Ball Hockey" activation will be organised at Nexus Elante Chandigarh, where children and adults will have the opportunity to experience the sport firsthand. Participants will be able to pick up a ball hockey stick, practice shooting at goal, take part in interactive skill challenges, and compete for prizes.

 

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Organisers believe such grassroots initiatives are essential for expanding the sport's reach and inspiring young athletes to take up hockey in its various forms.

The India Hockey 360 Festival will begin on August 1 with the "Try Ball Hockey" activation at Nexus Elante Chandigarh from 3:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., welcoming participants of all ages.

The second day, August 2, will focus on coaching education and player development at the Sector 10 Rink in Chandigarh in partnership with the Ice Hockey Association of India. The programme will feature a Coaches Summit from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., followed by a Roller Hockey Clinic from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

By bringing together international expertise, grassroots initiatives, and community participation, the organisers hope the India Hockey 360 Festival will serve as a catalyst for the long-term growth of ice hockey and roller hockey in India, creating new opportunities for athletes, coaches, and the next generation of hockey enthusiasts.