Frozen rinks shape Ladakh's sporting landscape

Winter in Ladakh is never silent; it makes itself known.

- PRIYANJALI DAS

While one day it's the barren brown landscape stunning you with its rugged, picturesque beauty, the next day you will find yourself buried deep under thermal layers, as you witness the jagged ridgelines of the Himalayas wearing a crown of snow. Ladakh during winter is otherworldly, and as the temperature hits minus, what remains alive is the soul of Ladakh-fiercely active because life here does not retreat within the four walls during winter; rather, it adopts. Winter sports gain traction during this time, and at the heart of this is The Royal Enfield Ice Hockey League (REIHL), which for the last three seasons, has created a professional platform for both men and women and has evolved into a structured competitive movement. A league that featured 11 men's and 5 women's teams from 29 January to 14 February this year, saw Humas Warriors under the men's section and Sham Eagles under the women's section become the unbeatable champions. As the matches attracted an enthusiastic crowd and delved into making the community bond stronger, The Statesman had a tête-à-tête with Vigyat Singh, Director, Eicher Group Foundation, Incharge RE Ice Hockey, on how the natural icy rinks become an arena of ambition, resilience and pride.

Q. Ice hockey has always been part of Ladakh's winter life for generations. Why step into a sport that is already culturally rooted, rather than introducing something new?