Rise of ice hockey in Leh, in times of an unwanted thaw

In the chilly winter of Ladakh, a game of ice hockey can feel like a warm hug. As the temperatures dip and the lakes freeze, the locals pour water to firm up the surface more and play on them.

- Samreen Razzaqui

NEW DELHI:

Ice hockey is an activity that the community looks forward to. Natural ice conditions are perfect for several winter sports. While most sports complexes rely on artificial methods to create ice rinks for hockey, Ladakh stands apart with its naturally formed rinks. Here, nature provides the infrastructure, transforming ponds and lakes into perfect ice hockey arenas.

The game is community-driven, culturally embedded and visually appealing, but more importantly, it is one of their few sources of entertainment in those months.

The second season of the Royal Enfield Ice Hockey League, which began in Leh on Thursday, furthers the region's favourite sport.

"We have a three-month shutdown, the schools and everything else are shut. Ice hockey or ice skating were the only sports we play during winters," says Diskit Angmo, who has been part of the Indian women's ice hockey team since its inception in 2016. She was speaking at the inaugural Journeying Across the Himalayas festival in December.

While winter sports like ice hockey grow in popularity or receive a boost, they are threatened by global warming—a crisis that is likely to affect them the most, and at a time when it's most suitable to grow.