Ladakh’s ice hockey players will now have access to year-round training after Lt Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena inaugurated the Union Territory’s first international-level artificial ice hockey rink at NDS Stadium here on Thursday.
Built at a cost of around Rs 42 crore, the state-of-the-art facility features a 24×7 chilling system, allowing players to train throughout the year instead of depending on Leh’s short natural ice season.
Saxena described the rink as a major investment in Ladakh’s young sportspersons and said the facility could help establish the Union Territory as a leading winter sports hub in India and internationally.
“This 24×7 chilling facility will ensure that our young players no longer have to wait for winter to practise. They can now train throughout the year, with the flexibility and continuity required to compete at the highest levels,” Saxena said.
“I am confident that this sustained training opportunity will take our players to new heights and enable them to represent India at international sporting events. This rink will strengthen Ladakh’s position on India’s winter sports map,” he added.
Year-Round Training Ends Seasonal Limitation
The new facility addresses one of the biggest challenges facing ice hockey in Ladakh — the extremely short natural ice season.
A Lok Bhavan spokesman said players previously had only around two to three months during winter to train and compete, forcing tournaments and competitions into a narrow seasonal window.
The limited training period also restricted systematic preparation and made it difficult for players to maintain continuity in their development.
“With the new 24×7 rink, this limitation is set to be overcome. The facility is expected to significantly improve the quality and consistency of preparation of Ladakh’s ice hockey players for national and international-level competitions,” the spokesman said.
Focus On Talent And International Competition
Saxena said the facility would provide an opportunity to identify and nurture talent from Leh and other parts of Ladakh while preparing players systematically for national and international competitions.
The facility is also expected to support the development of a stronger pool of young players by giving them consistent access to high-quality training infrastructure.
The Lt Governor linked the project with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of making India a global sporting powerhouse and expanding quality sports infrastructure to remote and border regions.
Beyond competitive sport, he said the rink could generate opportunities in sports tourism and contribute to the local economy.
With year-round access to artificial ice, Ladakh’s players will now have a longer and more structured pathway to develop their skills and compete at the highest levels.
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