Royal Enfield has officially unveiled Season 3 of the Himalayan Ice Hockey initiative, bringing back the Royal Enfield Ice Hockey League (REIHL) in Ladakh and the Spiti Cup in Himachal Pradesh, while deepening its commitment to community-led winter sports development across the Himalayan region.
Building on the success of previous editions, the 2025–26 season shifts its focus from participation to progression, introducing structured programs aimed at strengthening coaching, officiating, and grassroots competition.
The season opens with comprehensive coaching and referee training camps in Dehradun and Leh, led by IIHF-certified experts — coach Darryl Eason and officiating instructor Peter Gebei. These sessions aim to empower local coaches to run Learn to Play programs, scout young talent, and build community-based teams equipped for future tournaments.
Referee development will also take center stage, with dedicated training in Delhi for officials from the Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, and regional associations. A special emphasis has been placed on increasing women’s participation in officiating roles.
More than 1,000 children across Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand will be introduced to ice hockey through Learn to Play and basic skating programs, expanding the sport’s footprint deeper into the region.
A new highlight this year is the Pond Hockey Programme—a community initiative featuring a five-day training camp for 80 children, followed by a non-contact 3v3 tournament at Gupuk Pond near Leh. Designed as a fun and inclusive entry point, it aims to nurture first-time skaters and young enthusiasts.
Bidisha Dey, Executive Director of the Eicher Group Foundation, said:
“Ice hockey continues to be a powerful expression of community resilience across the Himalayas. With Season 3, we are moving from participation to progression—strengthening the grassroots ecosystem through structured training and expanding our reach across Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.”
With expanded leagues, enriched training pathways, and increased community engagement, Season 3 promises to further cement ice hockey as one of the Himalayas’ most exciting and unifying sports traditions.
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