Ladakh, Dec 23: Despite minus 20 to 25 degrees temperature, the Himalayan players from the Drass area of the Union Territory of Ladakh are busy preparing for an ice hockey event at rink Bhimbat.
Ice hockey is very popular in Ladakh and the region has produced international players on these natural turfs. Kargil and Leh get a natural ice rink due to freezing temperatures, making it an ideal winter sport for locals.
To promote winter games in Drass, the administration is holding an ice hockey championship every year in which dozens of teams participate.
“While people are facing several problems due to cold conditions, the youngsters are making use of these minus temperatures and are working day and night on the ground so that preparations are completed before the capital game starts,” Mohammad Salim, a hockey player, told Rising Kashmir.
He said the youngsters are playing ice skating and ice hockey in naturally-formed ice rinks. Drass is one of the few places in India that freezes in winter.
In winter, Drass Bhimbhat Ice Hockey Rink witnesses an enlivening and festive atmosphere. The natural ice is good for skating every January, plus a week or two of December and February.
Salim said that although ice hockey is lesser known in other parts of the country, it is the most sought-after sport in the Ladakh region considering the high potential due to natural weather. “Players can utilize this platform to showcase their talent and skills to achieve professional success,” he said. District administration Drass is organizing the Ice Hockey Tournament every year.
