1st LG Cup Archery Tournament organised by the Department of Youth Services and Sports and Archery Association of Ladakh was held on December 21 at NDS Stadium. 

A total of 14 men’s, 15 women’s and specially-abled teams from Leh and Kargil took part in the tournament. Saboo Red and Ladakh Police emerged as winners of the men’s and women’s team events, respectively. Toyeba Fatima from Kargil and Padma Dorjey from Leh won the women’s and men’s individual gold medals, respectively. Sonam Chosphel won gold in the specially-abled category. 75-year-old veteran archer Sanaullah was also felicitated during the event.

Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, RK Mathur handed over certificates and trophies to the winning men’s and women’s teams. He advised that the LG Cup Archery Tournament may be organised as per international-level standards from next year onwards to enable archers from Ladakh to bring national and international glory to the region. He expressed hope to see the participation of more youth from Ladakh in both national and international tournaments in the future.

LG Mathur stated that three LG Cups, including LG Polo Cup, LG Cup Ice Hockey Tournament and LG Cup Archery Tournament, have been organised in Ladakh to date. He stated that young players from Ladakh are bringing laurels to the region through their participation in various national and international tournaments. He also stated that there is tremendous potential for sports among the Ladakhi youth.

Mathur highlighted various initiatives taken by the UT Administration along with the Hill Councils to improve sports infrastructure, particularly traditional sports, and the distribution of modern and professional equipment and sports gear among the sportspersons from Ladakh. He informed about ongoing work on the development of various sports infrastructure, including the ice hockey rink and Astroturf football stadiums in Leh and Kargil to enable players from Ladakh to perform well in national and international tournaments.

LG Mathur emphasised the importance of providing experienced coaches, psychologists, and doctors to build the core of the players from Ladakh. 

Deputy Chairman, LAHDC Leh, Tsering Angchuk, stated that Ladakh has seen tremendous growth in the sports sector after the formation of Ladakh as a Union Territory. He also stated that Ladakh players represent at national and international levels and bring laurels to the region. He informed that archers from Ladakh have immense potential to perform well in national and international tournaments. He expressed happiness over the participation of a large number of women’s teams in the LG Cup Archery Tournament.