Kargil | December 19:
Advocate Riyaz Ahmad Khan, Councillor (5th LAHDC Kargil), on Thursday called on Chief Secretary, Union Territory of Ladakh, Dr Pawan Kotwal, IAS, at the UT Secretariat in Leh and submitted a memorandum seeking early approval for the establishment of a 24×7 mechanically chilled Ice Hockey Rink at Kargil.
The meeting was attended by Nominated Councillor Hakima Khatoon and BJP Ladakh President Tashi Khachu. The memorandum was submitted on behalf of the youth and sports enthusiasts of Kargil district, highlighting the urgent need for modern sports infrastructure to nurture local talent.
Advocate Riyaz Ahmad Khan emphasized the rapid growth and popularity of ice hockey in Ladakh, citing the strong performance of local players at national and international platforms. He pointed out that while Leh has a year-round ice hockey facility, the absence of similar infrastructure in Kargil continues to hamper the training and development of aspiring players.
It was informed during the meeting that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the proposed ice hockey rink at Kargil has already been submitted to the concerned authorities. The project aims to ensure balanced, inclusive and equitable sports development across the Union Territory of Ladakh.
Chief Secretary Dr Pawan Kotwal assured the delegation that the proposal would be processed and approved at the earliest, acknowledging the importance of sports infrastructure in youth engagement and overall regional development.
Expressing gratitude for the assurance, Advocate Riyaz Ahmad Khan said the approval would fulfil a long-standing demand of Kargil’s youth and significantly strengthen Ladakh’s presence in winter sports at the national level.
