However, the Indian team nearly broke the tie as they won yet another PC, but they fell short of gaining the lead…reports Asian Lite News
Indian junior women’s hockey team on Thursday recorded a comprehensive 4-1 victory against the United States in the Uniphar U-23 five-nation tournament, here.
Annu (49′, 52′) netted a brace, while Nikita Toppo (48′) and Vaishnavi Phalke (58′) scored one goal each for India. Hannah Miller (46′) scored the lone goal for America.
The Indian team got out to a fast start, winning the first Penalty Corner of the game within the first 10 minutes. Although it didn’t materialize, India made its intentions clear as they tried to attack early in the game to grab the lead. Despite their best efforts, neither India nor the United States were able to break the deadlock as the first quarter came to an end.
India took charge early in the second quarter and were rewarded for their efforts when they won their second PC. However, the United States’ defence held firm and prevented India from converting it. Following that, the US mounted a counter-attack, which resulted in their first Penalty Corner of the game, but it did not result in a goal, forcing both teams to enter the halftime break with no advantage.
Similar to the first and second quarters of the game, India and the United States fought it out to control the pace of the game in the third quarter without producing any clear opportunities. However, the Indian team nearly broke the tie as they won yet another PC, but they fell short of gaining the lead.
The US team upped their attacking as the fourth quarter began in pursuit of their first goal, and it paid off as they won a PC and shortly Hannah Miller scored the game’s first goal to put them ahead. However, India did not have to wait long for an equaliser, as Nikita Toppo levelled the game in the 48th minute. A minute later, Annu added another goal to give India the lead.
After that, India did not look back as they earned three back-to-back PCs. The game moved further away from the US when Annu scored her second goal in the 52nd minute. The United States had an opportunity to close the gap after winning a PC, but they were unable to convert it. Vaishnavi Phalke scored the final goal of the match in the 58th minute as India defeated US 4-1.
He does not consider this success of her daughter less than any Eid. He says that Eid has come early for us this year. Not only her family but the entire resident’s Lucknow are also proud of Mumtaz’s success…reports Dilshad Noor
The Indian Women’s Hockey team has made a steamed entry in the semi-final of the Junior World Cup. In South Africa, the Indian team defeated South Korea with 3-0 in the Quarter Finals in which Mumtaz Khan was honoured with The Player of the Match. She was the third-rounder player in this entire tournament, and she has so far scored 6 goals. Her achievement breaks those stereotypes which say that Muslim talent is suppressed in India, as well as it is a big lesson for those people who want to keep Muslim girls imprisoned behind the walls of the home.
Mumtaz Khan, 19, is a newly emerging women hockey player from India. She has played around 40 matches at the international level. Mumtaz started her career with the Indian team in the Under-18 Asia Cup where her team won the bronze medal. After this, she repeated her brilliant performance in the Under-18 Youth Olympics and the Indian team managed to win the silver medal. However, Mumtaz’s dream is to win a medal for India in the Olympics.
Mumtaz, who belongs from Lucknow, the city of Nawabs, comes from a very simple family. Her father Hafeez Khan runs a vegetable shop. Wherever his wife Qaisar helps him. To maintain a large family of 8 people, both are able to earn only Rs 300 per day. Apart from Mumtaz in her family, she has five sisters and a younger brother. Due to the weak financial condition of the family, Mumtaz could study only till 12th and after that she got selected for hockey. However, the journey to Potchefstroom has never been easy for Mumtaz.
Father Hafiz Khan says, “Mumtaz has been passionate about hockey since childhood. She always topped in hockey and running competitions. Mumtaz’s hockey journey began in 2011 after participating in a running competition in Agra, where coach Neelam Siddiqui recognized her talent and sent her to KD Singh Babu Stadium in Lucknow for training. It was Siddiqui who taught Mumtaz the tricks of hockey after the trial.”
He does not consider this success of her daughter less than any Eid. He says that Eid has come early for us this year. Not only her family but the entire resident’s Lucknow are also proud of Mumtaz’s success.
On the other hand, Mumtaz’s mother Qaisar Jahan who was initially against Mumtaz’s play. She says that ‘I feel very proud that my daughter is playing for the country. We are getting a lot of respect because of her.
People often taunted me for having five daughters. But today my daughter has made me proud. She considers Mumtaz equal to 100 sons.
She says: “I always believed that she should have given some rest to her father by selling vegetables in her spare time. But, her determination and hard work proved us all wrong today.”
She says: “Even today people consider the family incomplete without a son, but daughters are a heavenly gift given by Allah which Mumtaz has proved.”
With the help of her hockey stick, Mumtaz has given a befitting reply to the old patriarchal attitude and proved that daughters are in no way less than sons. Even daughters can achieve all that one day which is expected of sons.
The final quarter saw Malaysia put all their heart into stopping India from extending their lead…reports Asian Lite News
The Indian Junior Women’s Hockey team continued their fine form in the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup in South Africa as they registered their third consecutive victory in their pool D campaign.
They beat Malaysia 4-0, and will march into the quarterfinals of the prestigious tournament as the unbeaten table toppers from their pool. For India, goals were scored by Mumtaz Khan (10′, 59′), Sangita Kumari (11′) and Lalrindiki (26′).
India got off to a sensational start with the forwardline playing to strategy, creating space in the attacking circle from the word go. Their efforts paid off when Mumtaz Khan made a brilliant deflection off a good assist from Lalrindiki in the 10th minute and in the very next minute, she assisted Sangita Kumari, who recently made her Senior debut at the FIH Pro League matches, to score India’s second goal.
The Salima Tete-led team built on their game in the second quarter, improving their attack as they looked to extend the lead. Meanwhile, India’s defence continued to hold strong. Goalkeeper Bichu Devi was once again the cynosure of Indian defence as she made some important saves that kept up the pressure on the Malaysians. India did extend the lead to a comfortable 3-0 in the 26th minute when Lalrindiki scored from a good assist from Lalremsiami in the circle.
However, India would have been a tad disappointed with their PC conversion as they won 7 PCs during the course of the match but couldn’t find success in converting them. While the Malaysian PC defence was spot on, India’s execution was not up to the mark.
Not letting these missed opportunities affect their rhythm, the Indian Junior women much like their senior counterparts, rallied on their fitness to keep up the speed and energy in their game even in the final moments. Their defence, on the other hand, kept the Malaysian attack at check, not allowing them to create space in the circle.
The final quarter saw Malaysia put all their heart into stopping India from extending their lead. After several attempts, through potential shots on goal and a couple of PCs, India finally were able to score from a well-worked combination. It was Mumtaz Khan who picked up a good assist to push India’s lead to 4-0.
After securing a fine win, Captain Salima Tete, also named Player of the Match, said, “It was a team effort and we are happy with the way we played. It feels great to go into the Quarterfinals without losing a single game. But the tournament actually begins now with the knockouts starting.”
On Friday, April 8, India will take on Korea in the quarterfinal encounter.
Germany would have been disappointed for not being able to convert from the chances they created in the last five minutes of the second quarter where they created two crucial PCs…reports Asian Lite News
After a sensational 5-1 win against Wales in their opening game at the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup in South Africa, the Salima Tete-led Indian team beat Germany 2-1 in their second pool D match, thus booking their place in the quarterfinals of the prestigious quadrennial event here on Sunday.
While Indian Junior Women’s goalkeeper Bichu Devi Kharibam came up with a phenomenal performance at the goal post, Lalremsiami (2′) and Mumtaz Khan (25′) scored a goal each in India’s win.
Getting off to a rollicking start with an early PC in the 2nd minute, India put pressure on the Germans right from the start. While the dragflick by Deepika was excellently saved by the German goalkeeper Mali Wichmann, the experienced Lalremsiami picked up the rebound and used the space she had to pump the ball into the post with ease.
Though the 1-0 lead put Germany on the backfoot, they remained resolute to create some fine chances in the circle. However, the Indian defence led by goalkeeper Bichu Devi Kharibam was exceptional in her pursuit to stop Germany from scoring.
The second quarter was action-packed with Germany, who had beaten Malaysia 10-0 in their opening match, bringing their tactical expertise and composure to work their way into India’s circle. An infringement by the Indian defence in the 22nd minute saw the German’s being awarded with a penalty stroke. This was perhaps their best chance to equalise but India’s goalie Bichu Devi was absolutely phenomenal in her effort to deny the Germans an equaliser.
Her diving save was the highlight of the game, giving India the right amount of adrenaline to pump up the ante and put further pressure on Germany. Only minutes later, Mumtaz Khan converted a swift goal, once again through a penalty corner variation that was brilliantly executed. It was Reet who took the shot with Mumtaz working a good variation taking India’s lead to a neat 2-0.
Germany would have been disappointed for not being able to convert from the chances they created in the last five minutes of the second quarter where they created two crucial PCs. But Bichu Devi continued to be aggressive in her performance to keep the Germans at bay. Overall, Germany had 27 circle penetrations and 22 shots on goal.
The third quarter saw India on top gear as they attacked the German half with lethal speed and strategic counter attacks but they could not find success from these efforts. While they could have extended the lead by another goal or two, they could not quite convert from these chances.
Meanwhile, Germany bounced back in the final quarter with Jule Bleuel scoring a fine field goal from the top of the circle in the 57th minute. While it looked like the Germans could have equalised, India held their nerves in the tense final moments to keep the lead and seal their quarterfinals berth.
Awarded the Player of the Match for her incredible performance, an elated Bichu Devi expressed, “It was amazing to make the penalty stroke save. It was an exciting match and we are happy to have won this.”
The Indian women are placed in Pool A along with England, Canada, Wales and Ghana…reports Asian Lite News
Two-time silver medallist Indian men’s hockey team will start its campaign against Ghana on July 31, while the women’s side also square-off against the same rivals on July 29 at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022, starting July 28.
The Indian men’s team is placed in Pool B along with England, Canada, Wales and Ghana, while the Pool A consists of six-time champions Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan and Scotland.
The Indian women are placed in Pool A along with England, Canada, Wales and Ghana.
After Ghana, the Indian men will square-off against England on August 1, followed by matches against Canada (August 3) and Wales (August 4) while the women’s team will play Wales on July 30, England (August 2) and Canada (August 3).
The top two teams from each pool in both men and women’s competition qualify for the semifinals.
The men’s semifinals will be played on August 6 and the final on August 8.
The women’s semifinals and final will be played on August 5 and 7 respectively.
England’s men and women will both face Ghana in their opening match of the 2022 Commonwealth Games at the University of a Birmingham.
Reigning men’s champions Australia will face New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan and Scotland in the group stages, while defending women’s champions, New Zealand, face Australia, Kenya, Scotland and South Africa.
Both the women’s and the men’s competitions will begin on July 29, with Black Sticks women taking on Kenya and South Africa playing Scotland.
There will be a home nations clash on July 31 when England men play Wales.
Meanwhile, both England teams, who each won bronze medals on the Gold Coast in 2018, will be taking on India in the group stages. England men face them on Aug 1 and the England women against India takes place the following day.
The final of the women’s event will be held on August 7 and will be part of a super Sunday for women’s sport at the Games, with the final of the netball tournament and the final of the first ever Commonwealth Games women’s cricket T20 tournament being held on the same day.
The men’s final will be played on August 8, just a few hours before the closing ceremony.
The Indian goalkeeper also spoke about the hard training sessions the team is currently having in Bhubaneswar ahead of the two-legged tie against Spain…reports Asian Lite News
The India Women’s team is to take on Spain in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2021/22 matches scheduled to take place here Saturday and Sunday.
The two-legged affair between the two teams will take place at the iconic Kalinga Hockey Stadium.
India captain Savita said though Spain are a strong opponent and India will still be without regular skipper Rani Rampal, the hosts will be looking to continue with the momentum they gained in their first two matches against China in Muscat, Oman, last month.
“Spain are a good team. They have improved a lot in the past few years, and so have we. We have confidence in our team, and we will focus on ourselves. We will follow the plans and structure laid down by our Chief Coach Janneke Schopman,” Savita said at a pre-match virtual press conference, claiming her team will focus on its own targets.
The Indian goalkeeper also spoke about the hard training sessions the team is currently having in Bhubaneswar ahead of the two-legged tie against Spain.
“We are having hard sessions at the camp in Bhubaneswar. The conditions are very humid in this city and we have our sessions in the afternoon. But everyone trains with full energy, and we are getting used to the conditions. Everyone is excited to play at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium again. We feel we are improving each day,” Savita said.
Team India, who have been included after Australia and New Zealand pulled out citing Covid-19 travel regulations, started their FIH Hockey Pro League 2021/22 campaign on a high, winning both their games against China in Muscat.
India vice-captain Deep Grace Ekka said the team will look to continue the same momentum in Bhubaneswar.
“We picked up a big 7-1 win over China in the first match, but we had to work really hard to come away with a 2-1 win in the second match. But we are proud of the hard work we showed to get that win and now against Spain, we will look to improve upon those performances and continue the momentum,” Ekka said.
Spain, who are also competing in the Hockey Pro League for the first time, played their opening two games against The Netherlands. While they suffered a 0-1 loss in their first game, they managed to push the second game to a shoot-out, with a 2-2 draw, getting one point in the process.
This will be the first meeting between India since the four-match series in Spain in January 2019.
The Indian team is hoping to use the FIH Pro League match to build up for important events like the Commonwealth Games, World Cup and the Asian Games.
India will take on France on February 12…reports Asian Lite News
Indian men’s hockey team rode on a blistering attack to beat hosts South Africa 10-2 in their second match at the FIH Hockey Pro League 2021/2022, here on Wednesday.
New comer Jugraj Singh (4′, 6′, 23′) starred in India’s high-scoring victory as he contributed three brilliant goals to the scoreline with his impeccable drag flicks. His effort won him the Player of the Match award. Harmanpreet Singh (2′), Abhishek (12′), Gursahibjit Singh (24′, 36′), Dilpreet Singh (25′, 58′), Mandeep Singh (27′) were the other goal scorers for India.
Earlier in the match, the Tokyo Olympics Bronze medallists began the proceedings with lethal attack that exposed the South African defence. They earned a penalty corner as early as the first minute of the game. While Harmanpreet’s first attempt was blocked by South African rusher Keenan Horne, the Vice Skipper for India was perfect in his second attempt with a fiercely struck flick that beat the South African goalkeeper Estiaan Kriek.
The opening goal for India set the pace for their attack as they went on to score three more goals in the first quarter. India’s second and third goal was courtesy Jugraj Singh who impressed with his ability to dragflick. While his first goal was struck powerfully on the top right of the goalkeeper, his next goal which was well-assisted with a good injection by Jarmanpreet Singh and accurate stopping by Vivek Sagar Prasad was struck low on the right of the South African goalkeeper.
An error by the South African defenders saw Abhishek intercept the ball inside the circle only to take a successful shot on goal in the 12th minute. With four goals on board, India ended the first quarter in a dominant fashion with eight shots on goal and 65 per cent ball possession.
Though the second quarter witnessed South Africa create some inroads into the striking circle with Horne taking a potential shot on goal in the 22nd minute, India’s defence held sway to avoid conceding a goal. Meanwhile, the team’s forward line stitched together a good structure that resulted in back-to-back goals. While Jugraj Singh scored a hat-trick of goals when he converted a PC earned by Abhishek in the 23rd minute, Gursahibjit scored in the 24th minute, Dilpreet in the 25th and Mandeep struck in the 27th minute taking India’s lead to a formidable 8-0 ahead of half-time.
With a strong lead, India seemed to drop the momentum a tad bit in the third quarter. After an initial burst in attack that saw Gursahibjit score his second goal of the match in the 36th minute, a sloppy Indian defence gave way for South African forward line to create chances in the striking circle. India ended up conceding at least three PCs, out of which they converted one when Daniel Bell pushed the ball past Sreejesh’s left foot in the 44th minute.
The goal did good to the hosts’ confidence as they struck another fine field goal via Richard Pautz in the 45th minute. Though India continued to enjoy a 9-2 lead, the two goals scored by the hosts made them more upbeat in the following minutes of the match as they hunted for a third goal. The final quarter saw both teams create enough opportunities to score.
While India’s defence rallied together to avoid conceding a third goal, their forward line worked together to help Dilpreet score in the 58th minute of the match. Though the Indian attack earned a PC in the dying seconds of the match, South Africa defended well to end the match with 10-2 on the scoreboard.
Hockey India on Thursday mourned the demise of hockey legend Charanjit Singh…reports Asian Lite News
Two-time Olympic medallist and Padma Shri award winner Charanjit Singh passed away on Thursday in Una district, Himachal Pradesh, due to age-related complications. He was 92.
The Arjuna Award winner was part of India’s glorious days. A charismatic halfback, Charanjit Singh had led the Indian team to a historic gold medal in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, beating Pakistan in the final and was also part of the Indian team that won silver in the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome.
Born on November 20, 1929, Charanjit Singh was an alumnus of Col. Brown Cambridge School, Dehradun and Punjab University. After his illustrious career in international hockey, he worked as Director of the Physical Education department at Himachal Pradesh University, in Shimla.
Hockey India on Thursday mourned the demise of hockey legend Charanjit Singh.
When Hockey India had interviewed the legend in June 2021 for the Hockey India Flashback Series in the lead-up to the Tokyo Olympic Games 2020, he had fondly remembered the final against Pakistan during the Tokyo Olympics in 1964, the association said in a press release.
He had nostalgically stated, “Both the teams were regarded among the strongest teams during that time, and we had a very challenging outing against them. Moreover, you know, how intense it becomes when you play against Pakistan that too in the final of the Olympics. The match was also interrupted briefly to cool down the tempers of both teams. I told my boys to focus on the game, rather than wasting time talking to them. We were tested hard but also showed great character, and won the match by a narrow 1-0 margin to return home with that historic Gold medal.”
He had further remembered about the grand welcome they received upon returning to India wearing the coveted Gold medal around their necks. “Winning two medals for the country has been a moment of pride and honour for me. You know, after winning the Gold Medal at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, we were accorded a warm welcome on our arrival at the airport, a lot of fans had assembled, and it was a very special feeling for every one of us.”
Condoling Charanjit Singh’s demise, Hockey India President Gyanendro Ningombam said, “It is a sad day for the hockey fraternity. Even in his old age, he would light up every time there were conversations about hockey and he could accurately recall every great moment he was part of India’s golden days of hockey. He was a legendary halfback who inspired an entire generation of players. He was a very cool-headed captain and he will forever be remembered for his incredible skills on the field and for his humility off the field. On behalf of Hockey India, I expressed my deepest condolences to his family.”
The 26-year-old from Punjab was instrumental in India’s fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympic Games 2020…reports Asian Lite News
Indian women’s hockey team’s ace drag-flicker Gurjit Kaur completed 100 international caps at the ongoing Women’s Asia Cup 2022 in Muscat, Oman. She achieved this milestone during India’s Semi-final match against Korea.
Since her debut against Malaysia in 2014, Gurjit Kaur has shown grit and determination to become a vital player in the Indian team. Her goals have contributed to big victories for the team in recent years, most notably so at the 9th Women’s Asia Cup in 2017, Japan where she scored a total of eight goals, finishing as the tournament’s third-highest goal-scorer.
She went on to contribute in the team’s Silver Medal win at the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy in 2018. She was instrumental in India’s maiden quarterfinal at the FIH Women’s World Cup London in 2018, as well as India’s historic Silver Medal in Asian Games 2018. She was also part of the squad that notched up notable wins in the Commonwealth Games 2018 but missed out a Medal.
In 2019, she was the leading goal scorer at the FIH Women’s Series Final held at Hiroshima, Japan in 2019 where the team won the Gold and she also took part in the 2019 Olympic Qualifiers in Bhubaneswar where India beat USA 6-5 in goal aggregate.
The 26-year-old from Punjab was instrumental in India’s fourth place finish at the Tokyo Olympic Games 2020. She scored the lone goal against Australia in the Quarterfinals where India won 1-0, creating history by entering the Semi-finals of the Olympic Games for the very first time. Apart from scoring a goal in the Semi-final against Argentina, Gurjit also scored two goals in the bronze medal match against Great Britain. Her fine performance also saw her being chosen as the FIH Women’s Player of the Year award 2020-2021.
Looking back at the journey so far with the Indian women’s hockey team, Gurjit said, “I am very fortunate to have come into the Indian Team. We were already at the cusp of rising in our performances at the world level and I feel very fortunate to have gotten this opportunity to play in some of India’s fine victories. I thank my teammates for being extremely supportive all these years and I also thank the seniors in the team for guiding me. I thank the coaches I have worked with so far, it is also their efforts that I am better player today. I also thank Hockey India for providing women’s hockey the best training program, facilities and opportunities. We are also very fortunate to have the support of hockey fans who have given us so much love and support in the past few years.”
Congratulating Gurjit on achieving 100 international caps, Hockey Indian president Gyanendro Ningombam said, “I congratulate Gurjit Kaur on achieving this wonderful milestone. She has grown to become one of the finest drag-flickers in the world and I believe she will continue to grow in her role as a defender/ drag flicker for the team. I wish her the very best as she along with the team continues to achieve best results for India in world hockey.”
Authorities sprinkle water on the clay ground of the open-air rink which freezes under natural conditions in the night. If the sky is cloudy, the minimum temperature normally rises, resulting in thawing of the ice…reports Vishal Gulati
The country’s highest open-air ice hockey rink, developed recently amidst the stunning backdrop of the mighty Himalayas at an altitude of 3,720 metres in the picturesque but rugged Kaza, a cold desert town in Himachal Pradesh’s Spiti Valley, has turned into a nursery for the players.
In less than two years, Spiti Valley, the paradise that straddles both India and Tibet comprising over two dozen small and scattered villages, has earned its name in ice hockey through the Women Ice Hockey National Championship scheduled from January 16-20.
The passion of locals, mostly youngsters, for the game is unquestionable as they miss no opportunity in getting their skates to hit the ice.
Over 400 skaters enjoy their run at the rink every day. Skater Dolma Negi, a Class X student, said: “We are excited about participating in the advanced basic training camp. One day we will definitely get an opportunity to represent the state in a national tournament.”
The ice hockey rink — the highest in the country as Kaza is located at an altitude higher than Leh — of 60 metre by 30 metre size, exactly the international standard size, has been developed by giving a natural coating of thick layers of ice.
Authorities sprinkle water on the clay ground of the open-air rink which freezes under natural conditions in the night. If the sky is cloudy, the minimum temperature normally rises, resulting in thawing of the ice.
The congenial average minimum temperature for ice formation ranges from minus 10 to 15 degrees Celsius.
This season some 400-odd skaters belonging largely to the Spiti Valley, most of whom are in their 20s, have been registered for basic and advanced basic training camps, a rise in number from last year’s 223 participants, said organisers.
They are being trained by India Ice Hockey Association national coaches Amit Belwal and Noor Jahan, who was awarded Asia’s best goaltender in the 2016 IIHF Challenge Cup.
Seeing the local potential, facility and congenial climatic conditions, the Ice Hockey Association of India is currently holding a national development camp for 80 players in the run-up to the national championship that will see the participation of teams from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Telangana, Leh and Himachal Pradesh, among others.
Officials told IANS the ice hockey has been an integral part of Spiti for decades.
In 2019 when the first proper ice rink was set up by the District Youth Services and Sports Department, most of the players got an opportunity to hone their skills in a two-and-a-half-month sport.
“Initially most of the players borrowed skates and a hockey stick from one another despite the government making provision for them. Now they are not complaining as a majority of them have their own equipment,” said an official, adding “a new power in India’s ice hockey is emerging in the Himalayas, the second destination after Ladakh”.
With dreams of playing in the Winter Olympics, local lads are excited.
Athlete Tenzin Dolma dreams of representing the country internationally.
“Lack of proper equipment was earlier the deterrent in pursuing the sport professionally. Normally we used to take to hand-crafted wooden planks on frozen fields at an early age as the art of skating is passed on from one generation to another.
“Now with these coaching programmes, competitive skating has been acquiring a new meaning and with this most of us are aiming to represent the country,” she added.
Coach Noor Jahan told IANS that the girls here have a strong passion and will to learn the game. “They are from scores of villages situated in the suburbs of Kaza town. Their passion to learn is bringing most of them well ahead of the start of the practice session at 9 a.m. You can find some of the players as early as 6 a.m.”
From November to March, the area is piled with snow and children here have no option but to take to winter sports. “For them, skating blades are like any other toy,” the coach added.
Olympian Skalzang Dorje, an instructor with the Youth Services and Sports Department, said Spiti Valley has a huge potential for winter sports with many slopes.
“A youngster normally picks up a skate blade early. Now you can find high-end ski blades and skates, besides modern attire in every house,” said Dorje, who competed in the men’s archery individual and team events in the 1996 Summer Olympics.
The concept of the natural hockey rink evolved in Kaza, some 350 km from the state capital, from the skating rink in Shimla that was developed by an Irish military official named Blessington who lived during the British Raj.
The military official had inadvertently kept a bucket of water outside his residence and in the morning found it frozen. That gave him the idea of a skating rink and he created a small one of his own.
