A 15-day Ice Hockey Training-cum-Tournament for girls, organised by the District Hub for Women, Mission Shakti, Department of Social and Tribal Welfare, Kargil, in collaboration with the District Youth Services and Sports (DYSS) Kargil and the Ice Hockey Association Kargil, concluded on February 10.

The programme was organised under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme with the objective of promoting sports among girls and encouraging their overall development.

Executive Councillor for Tourism, LAHDC Kargil, Kacho Mohd Feroz; Additional Deputy Commissioner, Kargil, Imteeaz Kacho; District Programme Officer, ICDS Kargil, Nargis Banoo; District Youth Services and Sports Officer, Kargil, Abid Ali, along with other officers, officials, parents, and participants, were present on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, EC Kacho Mohd Feroz appreciated the Department of Social and Tribal Welfare for organising such sports camps for girls, stating that initiatives under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme play a vital role in empowering young girls through sports. He emphasised the need for the Council and the Sports Department to frame concrete policies, including exposure tours for talented sportspersons, to provide wider opportunities.

He also highlighted the importance of providing proper sports equipment and safety gear to prevent injuries and ensure safe participation. Emphasising inclusivity, the Executive Councillor said that equal opportunities should be provided to all girls based on their potential and capacity.

Referring to training in ice hockey and speed skating, EC Feroz called for collective efforts from LAHDC Kargil and the District Administration to further strengthen winter sports infrastructure in the district. He assured full support in the coming years to ensure that such camps are better equipped, more advanced, and well organised.

He thanked the Youth Services and Sports Department, ICDS Kargil, parents, and participants, and expressed hope that the trained girls would go on to represent Kargil district at national and international levels.

Speaking on the occasion, ADC Kargil Imteeaz Kacho also appreciated the initiative and said that the District Administration, Youth Services and Sports Department, and Ice Hockey Association Kargil would continue organising such camps in the future. He lauded ICDS Kargil for its role in the successful completion of the programme.

He remarked that girl students possess immense patience and talent and stated that the objectives of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme are being meaningfully realised through such initiatives. He suggested organising similar camps for longer durations in collaboration with the Youth Services and Sports Department and other agencies, and stressed the need to identify and develop more ice hockey venues in the district. He assured continued support from the District Administration for women-centric programmes.

Earlier, District Programme Officer, ICDS Kargil, Nargis Banoo informed that during the 15-day camp, girls were trained at basic and intermediate levels of ice hockey. She congratulated the participants for their confidence, discipline, and team spirit, and assured continued support for such initiatives.

Later, top performers in the Under-19, Under-14, and Under-12 categories were awarded prizes, and certificates were distributed among all participants.