Kargil, Dec 19: With ice hockey steadily gaining popularity across Ladakh and local players continuing to make their mark at national and international competitions, the Union Territory administration is moving towards the construction of a 24×7 ice hockey rink in Kargil. A proposal for setting up a 24×7 mechanically chilled ice hockey rink at Kargil was on Friday submitted before the Chief Secretary of Ladakh for early approval, with the aim of fast-tracking the project.
The proposal was presented by Advocate Riyaz Ahmad Khan, Councillor of the 5th Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council Kargil, during a meeting with Chief Secretary Dr. Pawan Kotwal, IAS, at the UT Secretariat in Leh. Nominated Councillor Hakima Khatoon and BJP Ladakh President Tashi Khachu were also present during the interaction.
Advocate Riyaz Ahmad Khan placed the demand on behalf of the youth and sports fraternity of Kargil district, underscoring the pressing need for modern sports infrastructure to support emerging talent. He highlighted that ice hockey has evolved into one of the most prominent winter sports in Ladakh, with players from the region delivering notable performances on larger platforms.
Drawing a comparison with Leh, which already has a year-round ice hockey facility, the Councillor pointed out that the absence of similar infrastructure in Kargil continues to restrict training opportunities for aspiring players. He said that limited access to quality facilities affects sustained skill development, especially during the off-season.
The delegation informed the Chief Secretary that the Detailed Project Report for the proposed rink has already been prepared and submitted to the concerned authorities. The project is intended to promote equitable sports development across the Union Territory and ensure that young athletes from Kargil receive opportunities comparable to those available in other parts of Ladakh.
Chief Secretary Dr. Pawan Kotwal assured the delegation that the proposal would be approved and processed at the earliest, acknowledging the importance of sports infrastructure in youth engagement and regional development.
Expressing satisfaction over the assurance, Advocate Riyaz Ahmad Khan said the proposed facility would meet a long-standing demand of Kargil’s youth and contribute to strengthening Ladakh’s presence in winter sports at the national level.
