Ladakh’s first ice hockey tournament of the season is underway in Durbuk village, Lalok region, with the 12th Late Lady Stanzin Otzes inter-Vvillage Ice Hockey tournament.

Organized by the Lalok Winter Sports Association (LWSA) and 114 BDE, the tournament aims to encourage local youth to participate in winter sports. The Lalok region has a rich history of promoting ice hockey in Ladakh, dating back to the 1960s, and the sport has flourished more recently since the early 2000s with the establishment of the Centralised Residential School in Lalok.

A total of 8 teams from within Lalok, along with two women’s teams, are competing in the tournament. LWSA plans to select its team for upcoming winter tournaments in Leh from this event.

As the first Brigade of the Indian Army stationed in Ladakh, 114 BDE has been collaborating with LWSA to promote winter sports in the Lalok region of eastern Ladakh. LWSA also plans to host coaching sessions for children and women’s teams after December 15.