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Indo-Canadian hockey players bring NHL expertise to India
Randip Janda and Harry Mahesh will share professional hockey expertise with players and coaches.
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Malvika Choudhary - Fri, 24, Jul 2026
- 18:02 EDT
- 19
Randip Janda/ Harry Mahesh / X/ Randip Janda/ Canadian Sport School Hockey League
Indo-Canadian hockey figures Randip Janda and Harry Mahesh will lead the inaugural India Hockey 360 Festival in Chandigarh from July 31 to Aug. 2.
The three-day festival, co-organized by Janda and Tulsea Sports Marketing (TSM), will bring National Hockey League (NHL) expertise to India through player development, coaching education and grassroots programming.
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The event is supported by the NHL, the Vancouver Canucks, Bauer Hockey, the Ice Hockey Association of India (IHAI) and several other hockey organizations and community partners.
Janda, the NHL's first full-time South Asian color commentator and host of Hockey Night in Canada Punjabi, said the festival is aimed at creating opportunities for aspiring players and coaches in India.
"Hockey has given me incredible opportunities throughout my career, and this festival is about sharing that passion and creating opportunities for the next generation of players and coaches in India," Janda said.
Mahesh, assistant coach of the Abbotsford Canucks and a member of the club's Calder Cup-winning coaching staff, will lead player development sessions and participate in the Coaches Summit.
"The growth of hockey starts at the grassroots level. By sharing knowledge and creating access to the sport, we can help inspire more players and coaches in India," Mahesh said.
The festival will feature a "Try Hockey" activation at Nexus Elante Chandigarh on Aug. 1, followed by a Coaching and Player Development Day at Sector 10 Rink on Aug. 2 in partnership with the Ice Hockey Association of India.
Although India is traditionally associated with field hockey, ice hockey has steadily grown in regions such as Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir.
Organizers said the India Hockey 360 Festival is intended to build on that momentum by creating long-term pathways for the sport through international partnerships, grassroots engagement and coaching exchanges.
In 2022, Janda became the NHL's first full-time South Asian color commentator, marking a milestone for diversity in the league's broadcast ranks.
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