Leh, January 13:
The selection trials for the UT Ladakh ice hockey teams for the upcoming Khelo India Winter Games 2026 were successfully conducted on Tuesday at the NDS Ice Hockey Stadium, Leh, marking a key step in preparations for the prestigious national winter sports event.
The trials were held for both men’s and women’s categories, drawing enthusiastic participation from players across the region. While the Leh District trials took place on January 13, the Kargil District trials were organised earlier on January 11 at the KSC Sports Stadium, Bemathang, Kargil. The trials were conducted under the aegis of the Department of Youth Services and Sports, UT Ladakh.
The Khelo India Winter Games 2026 are being organised through a collaborative effort involving the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sports Authority of India (SAI), the UT Administration of Ladakh, and the Department of Youth Services and Sports, UT Ladakh.
Notably, UT Ladakh has been hosting the Khelo India Winter Games since 2024, reinforcing its growing stature as India’s winter sports hub. The 2026 edition of the Games is scheduled to be held from January 20 to January 26, with multiple venues across Leh set to host competitions. These include the NDS Ice Hockey Stadium, Ladakh Scouts Ice Rink, ITBP Ice Rink, and Gupuks Pond.
Alongside ice hockey, the Games will feature speed skating events in both short-track and long-track formats. In a significant first, figure skating has been included as a competitive discipline in the Khelo India Winter Games being held in Leh, adding a new dimension to the winter sports spectacle.
With the trials completed, UT Ladakh is poised to field strong teams as it gears up to showcase its sporting talent on home ice.
