The Royal Enfield Ice Hockey League (REIHL) returned to the frozen rinks of Ladakh with an action-packed opening day as Season 3 got underway at the Nawang Dorjay Stobdan (NDS) Stadium in Leh on Wednesday.
Five high-intensity matches, a colourful opening ceremony and a packed crowd of nearly 1,500 spectators combined to set the tone for what promises to be the most competitive edition of the league so far. The league, which has steadily grown into the backbone of organised ice hockey in the Himalayan region, once again brought together teams from across Ladakh, blending grassroots talent with structured competition in a setting unlike anywhere else in Indian sport.
Sham Wolves strike first
The opening match of Season 3 saw Sham Wolves make a confident statement against league debutants Kharu Falcons, cruising to a 4–1 victory. After a cautious start from both sides, it was Tsewang Namgail who broke the deadlock in the eighth minute, finishing a well-worked move set up by Nawang Gyaltsan. The second period remained goalless, but Sham Wolves exploded into life in the third, with Dorjay Gyaltson and Namgail striking in quick succession. Stanzin Dorjay added a fourth to put the game beyond doubt, before Padma Thinles pulled one back late for Kharu.
The result underlined Sham Wolves’ attacking depth and set a high benchmark for the rest of the field.
In the second fixture of the day, Humas Warriors showcased their composure and structure with a 3–1 win over Purig Warriors. Waseem Bilal opened the scoring as early as the fifth minute, giving Humas an early foothold. Gulam Nabi doubled the lead late in the second period, but Purig briefly revived the contest through Villayat Ali in the final period. Any hopes of a comeback were extinguished when Bilal fired a long-range slap shot into the empty net in the dying moments, sealing a deserved victory.
A ceremony steeped in local identity
Following the opening games, the league was formally inaugurated with a vibrant ceremony that reflected Ladakh’s deep connection with ice hockey. Teams skated out in a parade with their placards, while a cinematic showcase highlighted the Royal Enfield Ice Hockey development programme that has nurtured players and coaches across the region.
Chief Secretary of the Union Territory of Ladakh, Shri Ashish Kundra, officially opened Season 3 with a ceremonial puck drop. Addressing the crowd, he said that initiatives like REIHL play a crucial role in strengthening community ties and creating meaningful sporting opportunities during the harsh Himalayan winters. The unveiling of the Season 3 trophies followed, before the spotlight returned to the ice for the women’s clash between Changla Lamos and Sham Eagles.
Sham Eagles dominate in the women’s category
The women’s fixture proved to be the most high-scoring contest of the day. After a closely fought opening phase that saw the teams locked at 2–2, Sham Eagles took complete control in the final period to secure a dominant 7–2 victory. Captain Semzes Dolma led from the front, inspiring a five-goal surge that also featured contributions from Tashi Dolker, Chunzin Lhamo, Jigmet Youtso and Sherap Zangmo. The performance marked Sham Eagles as early contenders in the women’s competition.
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Defending men’s champions Kangs Sing then began their title defence in emphatic fashion, defeating Changthang Shans 6–3 in a repeat of last season’s final. After conceding an early goal, Kangs responded with authority. Stanzin Phuntsog and captain Karma Rigyal Stein restored control before Mushtaque Ahmad Giri and Tsering Galpo extended the lead. Although Changthang Shans attempted a fightback, Kangs closed out the match with confidence, reminding everyone why they are the team to beat.
Zanskar finish the day in style
The opening day concluded with Zanskar Chadar Tamers delivering a comprehensive 6–1 win over Changla Blasters. Jigmath was the star of the show, scoring a stunning hat-trick in the first period to give Zanskar an unassailable early advantage. Rinchen Wangyal and Tsering Sangay added further goals as the Tamers cruised to victory.
Adding to the festive mood, Ladakhi folk-rock band Dashugs entertained the crowd with energetic performances during intermissions and after the final whistle, blending traditional sounds with modern rock and giving the opening day a unique cultural flavour. With Season 3 now underway, the Royal Enfield Ice Hockey League once again stands as a powerful symbol of how sport, community and culture come together in Ladakh.
More action awaits on January 30, with a packed schedule of men’s and women’s fixtures set to keep the momentum rolling on the ice.
