India’s love of sports is frequently linked to football, field hockey ,and cricket . But ice hockey , a lesser known but quickly expanding sport, is making an impression. An important turning point in the nation’s winter sports Calendar was reached in 20- 25 when the National Ice Hockey Championship was held in Dehradun’s Himadri in door Ice Rink from June 8-17.
A Historic Location
The Maharana Pratap Sports Complex in Dehradun, which houses India’s only Olympic-sized indoor ice rink ,served as the venue for the event. International competitions have been held here in the past ,such as the 2012 IIHF Challenge Cup of Asia. Teams from all over the country were drawn to the event because of its cutting-edge facilities
Groups and Types
There were 21 teams that competed in three categories in the championship:
Nine teams in the Men’s Open Six teams in the Women’s Open Under- 18 Boys ; 6 teams. Along with the Indian Army and ITBP, the competing teams came from a number of states ,including Uttarakhand ,Maharashtra ,Rajasthan ,Tamil Nadu ,Telangana , Andhra Pradesh ,Himachal Pradesh , and Karnataka. Notable Participants Among the championship’s notable teams were : Adventure sports in India have been pioneered by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police(ITBP).
In national competitions, their ice hockey team has continuously excelled. Ladakh: Players from Ladakh frequently train in some of the world’s highest altitude rinks, and their teams have displayed remarkable prowess. The love of ice hockey in the area is ingrained in its culture. Army Sports Control Board (LSRC): By offering ice hockey players resources and instruction , the Army has played a significant role in the sport’s growth.
Competition Highlights: Free Admission : In an effort to promote public participation and support for the sport, Uttarakhand Secretary of Sports, Amit Sinha , declared that admission to the competition would be free. Daily Matches: Fans had plenty of opportunity to see the action as matches were planned every day from 10 am to 8 pm. Youth Development : With the under 18 division showcasing the upcoming generation of ice hockey players , the championship provided a stage for young talents to display their abilities.
The future of Indian Ice Hockey
Even though the championship was a noteworthy occasion , there are still obstacles in the way of ice hockey’s expansion in India. Training options are limited by the absence of artificial indoor rinks outside of Dehradun. More facilities are being built in areas like Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh in an effort to develop talent and advance the sport.