Bhubaneswar: Season 3 of the Himalayan ice hockey programme is officially underway — and this year, the focus begins off the rink. Instead of heading straight into competitive matches, the season opens with structured coach and referee training programmes aimed at strengthening the sport from the grassroots level.
According to the reports, coach training sessions will take place in Dehradun, while referee and officiating courses are being set up in Delhi and Leh, marking a significant move toward professionalising the sport. Trainers and instructors certified through international standards are expected to lead these sessions.
Organisers say the approach reflects a shift from simply introducing the sport to creating long-term infrastructure and skill development in cold-climate regions such as Ladakh, Spiti (Himachal Pradesh), and Uttarakhand. The initiative also includes the “Learn to Play” youth programme, which aims to introduce hundreds of children to skating and basic ice hockey skills.
The official competitions — the Royal Enfield Ice Hockey League (REIHL) in Ladakh and the Spiti Cup in Himachal — will take place later in the season, with new teams from regions like Lahaul and Kharu expected to join for the first time.
One organiser described the season as a turning point, noting:
“This isn’t just a winter event anymore. We want trained coaches, certified referees, community engagement and a year-round system that keeps the sport growing.”
With increased participation, expanding regions, and structured development programmes, Season 3 marks one of the biggest coordinated efforts yet to build India’s winter-sport identity — and put Himalayan ice hockey firmly on the national map.
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