Ladakh’s Ice Hockey Pioneers Reveal About India’s Sporting Gaps

The women's ice hockey team has shattered more than just gender barriers, showcasing resilience in the face of neglect. Their journey highlights the struggles of niche sports in India and the need for greater support.

Somewhere in Ladakh’s icy, rugged terrains, a group of women is doing what few thought possible—competing in ice hockey at an international level. Their story is often framed as a fight for gender equality in sports, but it represents something more significant. It highlights India’s lack of institutional support for non-mainstream sports, the uneven distribution of athletic opportunities, and the country’s narrow definition of sporting success.

Yes, this is about women breaking barriers—and not just gender barriers. It’s about a nation that overlooks the potential of winter sports, the systemic neglect of athletes outside traditional sporting hubs, and a group of resilient women refusing to let circumstances define their future.

The Reality of Niche Sports in India
The emergence of India’s women’s ice hockey team is frequently hailed as a significant milestone for female athletes. However, it highlights an underlying problem—the lack of awareness surrounding the sport. The absence of professional rinks, organised training initiatives, and cost-effective gear implies that even highly skilled athletes encounter significant challenges.

We can see these challenges in the stories of players like Padma Chorol and Diskit C Angmo. Padma Chorol, who commenced her journey in speed skating at the age of 10, confronted her family’s fears and a significant deficiency in training facilities. Even after securing a spot on the national team, she experienced severe resource limitations that led her to compete with mismatched skates, borrowing gear from the men’s team just to remain in the competition.

Diskit C Angmo, a pioneer for ice hockey in Ladakh, initially began as a figure skater before realising that women could also engage in the sport. However, even after establishing a team, the challenges persisted. Most players had never been able to skate on an international-sized rink, and their training was restricted to only a few months each year on frozen ponds. Despite these challenges, Angmo and her teammates persisted, overcoming barriers to compete internationally.

Their experiences highlight the broader challenge niche sports face in India, where passion frequently surpasses the available infrastructure, compelling athletes to contend for acknowledgement and support.

Navigating the Urban-Rural Sporting Divide

India’s most renowned athletes usually come from prominent urban training facilities or state-sponsored initiatives in areas such as Haryana and Punjab. In contrast, the ice hockey players from Ladakh honed their abilities on frozen lakes, lacking formal infrastructure or professional coaching access

Namgail Wangmo, among India’s youngest ice hockey prodigies, has trained under these conditions since she was eight. Juggling her schooling with a rigorous training regimen, she aspires to compete for India in the Olympics. Similarly, Samina Khatun, another emerging talent, began her journey in the sport by using her brother’s roller skates. With no background in athletics, she faced the challenges of training in a non-traditional environment. These young athletes represent the upcoming generation, yet their journeys are considerably tougher than those of competitors in more mainstream sports.

Their experiences challenge the notion that top athletes must arise from well-funded organisations. Talent resides in remote areas, yet without financial support, many skilled individuals may never realise their true potential.

The Bigger Picture

Cricket has dominated India’s sporting culture for many years, overshadowing other sports that remain outside the mainstream. In contrast, nations such as China and South Korea have successfully developed winter sports initiatives from the ground up, demonstrating that with strategic funding, exceptional athletes can emerge in any sport.

Regions like Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand possess the ideal environment for nurturing winter sports, but the government’s lack of commitment to establishing competitive infrastructure has hindered progress. The women’s ice hockey team has already demonstrated their existing potential. The key question remains: when will India give them the support they need?

Athletes like Angmo and Chorol have committed to this discipline, even creating organisations to mentor younger competitors. However, without significant investment—including additional rinks, improved gear, and continuous training facilities—India will continue to view winter sports as a secondary concern rather than a potential avenue for growth.

A Step Ahead

The women’s ice hockey team from Ladakh have brought attention to the challenges faced by emerging sports in India, the need for greater support for rural talent, and the importance of creating equal opportunities for all athletes.

A more structured approach is essential for their progress to translate into lasting change. Increased investment in winter sports, stronger institutional backing, and improved facilities could help ice hockey become a viable pathway for aspiring athletes. Players like Wangmo and Khatun have demonstrated exceptional talent, and with the right support, they have the potential to represent India on the international stage.

These women have proven what is possible. The next step is to ensure that they and the sport receive the recognition and resources needed to thrive.