LEH: The 10-day Ice Hockey coaching camp for children organised by District Police Leh in collaboration with Ladakh Women’s Ice Hockey Foundation (LWIHF) concluded here at Gopuk Ice Hockey Rink.
SSP Leh Udhaya Bhaskar Billa, who was chief guest on the occasion, said that police organised this camp under civic action programme. He expressed happiness that training camp concluded without a small accident despite Ice skating being one of the fastest and dangerous sports. SSP said that the idea was to engage children and youngsters in sporting event to promote their physical and mental health. Later talking to media, Udhaya Bhaskar Billa informed that Leh Police will soon come up with its own team after acquiring proper training.
There were 21 boy and 25 girl participants in the Ice Hockey coaching camp and district police provided logistic supports while LWIHF provided expert coaches who have already brought laurel to Ladakh.
President Women’s Ice Hockey Foundation, Kunzes Angmo said the foundation has conducted free coaching in the past also, especially for women as there are only four women teams in Ladakh which is quite a small number as compared to men’s teams. Kunzes Angmo, an experienced Ice Hockey player has represented India at international arenas and Women’s Ice Hockey Foundation is scheduled to represent India in Thailand shortly. The Foundation is seeking financial help from the government to strengthen Ladakhi women Ice Hockey players.
Mentioning briefly about LWIHF, its member Kunzes Dolma informed that the women Ice LWIHF came into being in 2015 to uplift the status of women Ice Hockey in Ladakh and added that the women players always felt the gender segregation such as female players have to hire the equipment from their male counterparts as people are reluctant to offer support to women players. She also said that LWIHF is aspiring to fulfil the motto of encouraging, equipping and elevating women Ice Hockey.
“I feel proud to say that all our members who have been coaching the children have played National and also represented India at International events,” said Kunzes Dolma.
Talking about the advantage of Ladakh having natural ice in winter months, Noor Jaahan, who too represented India at International level, said Ladakhi players have a good potential for this sports as they have more stamina in playing it because of being trained at higher altitudes.
Dy SP Hqrs Zahoor Ahmed Peer, Leh gave introductory speech and said that 45 students both male and female have participated in the training programme and J&K Police under civic action programme endeavours to organize more of such camps in the future. Police band party performed a colourful musical programme during the ceremony.
Inspector Tsewang Dorjey presented vote of thanks to the guests and students. Later, Chief Guest distributed certificates and medals to the participants.
In the basic category Group A St. Laxman stood first, Yangzes Dolma second and Desal Angmo remained third. Similarly in Group B Phuntsog Ladol stood first and Jigmet St. Chuzin and Skarma Tsultim second and third respectively. Group C Sonam Chosgyal first, Chuskit Angmo second and Rigzen Angmo at third position. Group D St Dhonags first, second Stanzin Lakpa and third Ishey Otsla. In the Intermediate category Thinles Angmo stood first, second Phuntsog Gyaltson and Stanzin Deskyong remained at third position while in the Advance category Tsewang Sandup first and Stanzin Sangyas second and Stanzin Chozang was adjured third.
