Ice hockey – a popular winter sport playing out in Ladakh
Odisha isn’t the only place in India swept by hockey fever. Leh in Ladakh – more than 2,500 km away from Bhubaneswar that is hosting the World Hockey Championship – is caught up in a similar frenzy, with a slight twist though. It’s ice hockey that is keeping the Ladakhis engaged and entertained. Ice hockey – an annual affair in January when temperatures plummet and ponds freeze – is a source of immense pride to the Ladakhis.
Ice skating enthusiasts practice on a frozen pond which has now become a public ice rink. Guphuk remains a much-loved destination for skaters in Leh. Men and women of all ages flock to socialise and learn ice skating at an elevation of 11,562 feet above sea level (Photo by Dawa Dolma)
Ice hockey was started around 50 years ago by the Indian army in Jangthang (the eastern Ladakh) where temperature dips down to – 30 degree Celsius. At the remote posting, it used to be a downtime game for the army men. A blade attached to the ammunition shoes served as the ice skate, field hockey stick served as the ice hockey stick and sand filled in a shoe polish can as the puck (Photo by Phunstok Angchuk)
The month of January has already kicked off strong with various ice hockey championships. It begins with the 16th CEC Cup ice hockey championship, with 15 men’s teams and seven women’s teams taking part across Ladakh (Photo by Thinley Chodon)
Many play with the hope of making it to the Indian National Ice Hockey team as good players are selected for the national team during the championships. Stakeholders such as Ladakh Winter Sports Club, Department of Youth and Sports, and District Youth Services and Sports aim to enter the team in World Championship tournaments (Photo by Thinley Chodon)
Indian men’s, as well as women’s national ice hockey teams, are mostly represented by Ladakhi players. Ice hockey is the winter sport of choice for every Ladakhi (Photo by Dawa Dolma)
Many ponds and lakes become natural ice rinks when the ice becomes the thickest in January. Little girls wearing a traditional dress are seen mastering the art of ice skating (Photo by Phunstok Angchuk)
Ice hockey championship that brings thousands of spectators remains a favourite sport for the Ladakhi people (Photo by Phunstok Angchuk)
The lead image shows a young boy enjoying the pleasure of gliding on ice (Photo by Thinley Chodon)
Dawa Dolma is a freelance journalist based in Leh. She writes about climate change, communities, and culture of the Himalayas. She is a Rural Media Fellow 2022 at Youth Hub, Village Square.