In a significant step toward strengthening grassroots ice hockey in the Indian Himalayas, Royal Enfield Social Mission supported the inaugural Himalayan Pond Hockey Championship, held at the frozen Gupuks Pond near Leh from January 9 to 16, 2026.
Organised in partnership with Thin Ice Adventure, the initiative adopted a community-first approach aimed at expanding access to ice hockey while celebrating Ladakh’s winter sporting culture.
The programme was designed not merely as a competitive tournament but as a holistic development pathway. It began with a five-day Learn to Play initiative from January 9 to 14, which introduced more than 40 children to the fundamentals of skating and ice hockey. Delivered by a mix of trained local and international coaches, the sessions focused on basic movement, puck handling, safety awareness, and confidence-building. For many participants, this marked their first structured exposure to the sport, laying the foundation for sustained engagement rather than short-term participation.
A defining feature of the Learn to Play phase was its emphasis on inclusion. Alongside the youth sessions, a sledge hockey exhibition match was organised with the support of People’s Action Group Of Inclusion and Rights (PAGIR). The exhibition highlighted how ice hockey can evolve as an accessible sport for differently abled athletes, reinforcing the idea that winter sports in Ladakh can grow without exclusionary barriers. This inclusive ethos set the tone for the championship that followed.
The Learn to Play programme culminated in the Himalayan Pond Hockey Championship on January 15 and 16. Seventeen amateur teams competed in a fast-paced 3v3 pond hockey format, a globally popular structure that prioritises skill, creativity, and constant involvement over rigid systems. In total, the championship featured an impressive 170 matches, with each team guaranteed 10 games ensuring maximum ice time and a festival-like rhythm rather than elimination-driven pressure.
The participating teams—Skara, Six Friends, Brave Nunoos, Bulls, Team Slayer, LA Kings, LA Warriors, Zedang Sumpa, Ladakh Knight, Tejasvi Teen, Always First, First Ladakh, Shashank Redemption (Foreign), Ashes to Ashes (Foreign), Eclectic Cedric (Foreign), Mighty Pucks, and Photuk—reflected the open and community-driven nature of the event. Players from eight different nationalities took part, with children, girls, women, men, and international visitors sharing the ice together. This diversity underlined pond hockey’s unique ability to blur competitive hierarchies and social boundaries.
Beyond the scorelines, the championship transformed Gupuks Pond into a vibrant social hub. Families, local residents, and visitors gathered along the ice, turning the matches into a shared community celebration. In Ladakh’s long winters, frozen lakes have traditionally served as spaces for recreation and connection; the championship reaffirmed ice hockey’s role as a cultural anchor as much as a sporting pursuit.
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On the competitive front, Tejasvi Teen emerged as champions of the inaugural edition, finishing their campaign with nine wins and one draw from 10 matches. Team Slayer secured second place, while Always First completed the podium in third. Individual awards recognised standout contributions across the tournament. Phuntsog Gyaltsan was named Top Scorer for his consistent attacking output, Tashi Namgyal received the Most Valuable Player (MVP) honour for his all-round influence, and Rigzin Chilam claimed the Accuracy Champion award, highlighting technical precision and control.
Importantly, the Himalayan Pond Hockey Championship also serves as a preparatory platform for the Royal Enfield Ice Hockey League Season 3, scheduled to be held in Leh from January 29 to February 14, 2026. By combining introductory programmes, inclusive exhibitions, and a high-volume community tournament, the initiative creates a clear progression pathway—from first contact with the sport to organised league participation.
Through its support of the Himalayan Pond Hockey Championship, Royal Enfield Social Mission continues to reinforce its broader commitment to empowering Himalayan communities through sport. The focus remains on building resilient local ecosystems, creating meaningful opportunities for youth and women, and recognising ice hockey not just as a competitive discipline but as a living expression of Himalayan identity and winter life.
As the frozen ponds of Ladakh continue to host such initiatives, the sport’s grassroots base appears stronger, broader, and more sustainable than ever before.
