Leh, Oct 31: The Ice Hockey Association of Ladakh, with the support of the UT Administration of Ladakh, today conducted the final round of selection trials for the UT Ladakh Ice Hockey State Teams at the NDS Ice Hockey Rink, Leh. The selection process, which commenced on October 25, witnessed enthusiastic participation from male and female players across the Union Territory.

For the first time, the Association invited open registrations through an online platform, providing aspiring players an opportunity to participate in the selection process. A total of 95 players registered and took part in the trials, including 75 male and 38 female players, as per the figures shared by the Association.
Following the completion of the selection process, 30 players each will be shortlisted for the men’s and women’s state teams. The final list of selected players, along with the results, will be declared on November 2, 2026.
The selected players will undergo structured training under experienced and qualified coaches to strengthen their technical skills, physical fitness and overall game performance ahead of the forthcoming winter tournaments. The formal training programme for both teams is scheduled to commence on November 5.
The Ice Hockey Association of Ladakh has appointed experienced coaches for both teams. Former Captain of the Indian Ice Hockey Team, Tondup Namgail, will coach the men’s team, while Mushtaq Ahmed, Junior Coach of the Indian Ice Hockey Team, will take charge of the women’s team. Mohammad Iqbal, a former Indian Ice Hockey Team player and ITBP representative, will serve as Assistant Coach for both teams.
To ensure proper monitoring of the players’ health and physical fitness throughout the training period, physiotherapists and doctors deputed by the UT Administration will also extend medical support and professional guidance to the teams.
On the occasion, District Youth Services and Sports Officer (DYSSO) Tsering Tashi, along with other officials from the Sports Department, interacted with the selection committee members and players. They appreciated the efforts being made to strengthen ice hockey in Ladakh and extended their best wishes to the players for the upcoming winter tournaments.
Speaking on the occasion, Ice Hockey Selection Committee Member and Coach Tondup Namgail expressed happiness over the completion of the new Ice Hockey Rink in Leh, stating that the facility would provide players with an opportunity to practise throughout the year and significantly contribute to the development of the sport in Ladakh.
He further informed that the Association is planning to organise a 15-day residential training programme for the selected players, with the involvement of top-level coaches from outside Ladakh, to provide them with specialised coaching, enhance their technical skills and prepare them for the forthcoming winter tournaments.
He also expressed gratitude to the Sports Department, UT Ladakh, for its continued support to the Ice Hockey Association in organising such programmes and expressed hope that the same cooperation and encouragement would continue in the future.
Players participating in the trials also welcomed the initiative, particularly the decision to conduct the state team selection process well in advance of the winter tournament season. They expressed gratitude to the UT Administration and the Ice Hockey Association of Ladakh for providing them with an important opportunity to demonstrate their abilities and prepare for upcoming competitions.
The players expressed optimism that systematic training, improved sporting infrastructure and continued institutional support would help them enhance their performance and achieve better results in forthcoming tournaments.