A tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Department of Youth Services and Sports, Ladakh; LAHDC Leh and Eicher Group Foundation was signed on September 23 for the promotion of ice hockey in Ladakh through various trainings and purchase of equipment.

Lieutenant Governor RK Mathur  virtually attended the event and appreciated developmental initiatives taken by Eicher Group Foundation in Ladakh, including the promotion of ice hockey. Stating that ice hockey is in the genes of Ladakhi youth, he informed that there is a keen interest in this sport in the region. He shared about various initiatives taken to develop this sport from the grassroots and block level to the district level, including converting ponds into ice hockey rinks in the winter. He highlighted ongoing work to develop ice hockey rinks along with the distribution of equipment to the Ladakhi youth interested in the game at a widespread level.

He informed about the ongoing project to develop 24x7 ice hockey rinks in Ladakh. He requested the Eicher Group Foundation for technical advice and assistance in developing ice hockey infrastructure in Ladakh, grooming talented ice hockey players from Ladakh at the grassroots level to enable them to represent the country on the international stage and providing exposure tours and soft skills to the ice hockey players from the region to develop their games.

He stated that the partnership between UT Administration, Hill Council Leh and Eicher Group Foundation will strengthen the infrastructure and entire ice hockey ecosystem in a sustainable manner.  

LG Mathur emphasised that the promotion of sports such as ice hockey will lead to better health- both physical and mental-of the Ladakhi people. He stressed the need for qualified doctors in case of injury to the players and also the development of a cadre of local coaches.

Mathur stressed the need for widespread participation of players and systematic preparation of the CEC and LG Cup Ice Hockey tournaments to raise the standards of these events. He requested Eicher Group Foundation to prepare a blueprint for the overall development of ice hockey in Ladakh.

Chairman, LAHDC Leh, Tashi Gyalson stated that the MoU between UT Administration, Hill Council Leh and Eicher Group Foundation would enable to fulfil the potential of ice hockey in Ladakh. He stated that better coaching through foreign coaches and exposure visits will enable ice hockey players from Ladakh to bring laurels to the region and the country at the international level. He informed about various initiatives taken by UT Administration and Hill Council Leh to develop ice hockey infrastructure and the distribution of sports equipment to students of Government schools.

EC Sports, Tashi Namgyal Yakzee highlighted the contribution of ice hockey women's teams, especially from Changthang in bringing laurels to the region and the country. He highlighted efforts being made to develop ice hockey rinks at various levels to produce quality players.

Executive Director, Eicher Group Foundation, Bidisha Dey informed about various initiatives taken by them in Ladakh, including skill development, livelihood, community development programmes and sports. She requested for support for their ongoing initiatives. She informed about various Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities to preserve the fragile environment of Ladakh.