Kargil January 16, 2026 — Ladakh is rapidly transforming into India’s premier winter sports destination, a vision underscored today by Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta during the closing ceremony of the 5th LG Cup Ice Hockey Championship 2026.
Addressing a vibrant gathering in Kargil, the Lieutenant Governor emphasized that the region’s unique geography and the natural resilience of its youth provide an unmatched advantage for winter sports. He remarked that ice hockey has evolved beyond a mere game to become an integral part of Ladakh’s cultural identity and way of life, vowing to elevate the local sports ecosystem through modern infrastructure and systematic talent development.
The championship concluded with high-octane final matches that saw the ITBP Men’s team clinch a hard-fought 2–1 victory over the Ladakh Scouts. In the women’s category, the ITBP Women’s team dominated the rink, defeating LWIHF with a decisive 7–3 scoreline.
A total of 10 men’s and 5 women’s teams participated in the tournament, which served as a precursor to the even larger 6th Khelo India Winter Games scheduled to begin on January 20 at the international-standard Indoor Ice Hockey Rink in Leh.
This new ₹51 crore facility features an automated chilling plant, allowing for year-round training and world-class competitions.Highlighting the Ladakh Sports Policy 2025, the Lieutenant Governor explained that the administration is focused on talent identification, providing scholarships, and creating Centres of Excellence to support athletes.
He also urged the people of Ladakh to extend warm hospitality to the nearly 500 players arriving from across India for the upcoming Khelo India games, turning them into lifelong ambassadors for the region.
During the event, Chairman LAHDC Kargil, Mohammad Jaffer Akhoon, and Administrative Secretary Youth Services and Sports, Moses Kunzang, also spoke on the importance of infrastructure and the growing professional standards of winter sports in the Union Territory.
