Historic Bronze Victory: Indian Women Players Celebrate Triumph in Women’s Ice Hockey Asia Cup

Historic Moment for Indian Women’s Ice Hockey

Leh, Ladakh: A significant milestone was achieved for Indian women’s ice hockey as the national team captured its first-ever bronze medal at the 2025 IIHF Women’s Asia Cup in Al-Ain, UAE. Out of the 20 players, 19 hailed from Ladakh, with one from Himachal Pradesh. The final squad was chosen from 45 participants across various states.

This achievement comes almost ten years after India’s debut in the international arena during the IIHF Women’s Challenge Cup of Asia Division I in 2016. The team faced five different nations in the 2025 tournament, winning three matches and losing two, finishing with a score of 13 goals for and 16 against.

Rinchen Dolma, a team member and former captain, reflected on the journey. “From our start in 2016 to now, we’ve seen ice hockey grow. We won our first medal by defeating Malaysia, the UAE, and Kyrgyzstan, which is a thrilling accomplishment,” she said.

Tsewang Chuskit, the current captain, emphasized ice hockey’s prominence in Ladakh. "It’s exciting to see a sport we’ve grown up with gain recognition. Our win helps shine a light on an activity that’s not yet widespread in India but is slowly gaining traction," she stated.

Despite the progress, the team faces challenges, particularly the lack of proper training facilities. Dolma highlighted the difficulties tied to relying on natural ice. “In India, we have limited opportunities for practice. Most of our training happens on natural ice, available only for a couple of months. Other countries have year-round training, which puts us at a disadvantage,” she said.

The reopening of the Dehradun Ice Hockey Rink in May allowed the team to practice just before the tournament, but it remains a struggle for consistent training.

Changes over the years have also been profound. Chuskit noted that when they first entered international competition in 2016, they had little knowledge of artificial ice and often relied on borrowed equipment. "Now, our players are more experienced and better prepared. Competing this year, even against the strong Philippines team, showed how far we’ve come.”

Ice hockey in India has traditionally been male-dominated, which fueled the creation of the Ladakh Women’s Ice Hockey Foundation (LWIHF). "This foundation aims to uplift female players so they face fewer barriers than we did," Chuskit explained. The organization has successfully promoted ice hockey in villages and provided equipment to children.

While progress is clear, more support is necessary. Chuskit stated, “We need a dedicated ice hockey facility for year-round training, along with access to nutritionists and specialized coaching.”

With the rising interest in women’s sports globally, this bronze medal is not just a trophy but a beacon for future generations. As ice hockey continues to grow, the hope is that more girls across India will lace up their skates and join the game.

For more insights on the growth of women in sports, you can visit Women in Sports Foundation.

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