Shimla/Kaza, June 23,
In a major boost to winter sports in Himachal Pradesh, an ice hockey rink and pavilion will be constructed in Kaza, bringing long-awaited infrastructure to the Spiti region where youth have consistently demonstrated their talent in ice hockey at national and international platforms. The facility will help aspiring athletes in this high-altitude desert prepare more effectively without depending on temporary arrangements. Additionally, the new rink is expected to make Kaza a hub for major ice hockey events in the future.
Currently, ice hockey competitions in Kaza rely on artificial rinks created under natural conditions. The construction of a permanent rink comes on the heels of Himachal Pradesh winning a bronze medal in the national ice hockey competition recently held in Dehradun—most players in the team were from Spiti. Recognizing this growing enthusiasm and potential, the government has moved forward with setting up dedicated infrastructure.
Reportedly, Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju will lay the foundation stone of the ice hockey rink on June 28. Along with this, he will also inaugurate the construction of a High Altitude Sports Training Center and a general Sports Training Center in the region, with a combined cost of ₹73 crore. Further, on June 29, Rijiju will lay the foundation stone of a proposed ₹23 crore sewerage scheme in Keylong. This includes an amount of Rs 75 crore for High Altitude Sports Centre, Rs 8 crore for Ice Skating Rink and Rs 26 crore for Sewerage Treatment Plant in Keylong.
Meanwhile, continuing the momentum in winter sports, 60 players from Himachal Pradesh are all set to participate in the National Ice Skating Championship beginning June 25 in Dehradun. This is the largest contingent ever sent by the state for the competition. This afternoon, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu flagged off the team of players from Oak Over here for the National Ice Skating Championship.
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According to State Ice Skating Association Vice President Pradeep Kanwar, 31 boys and 23 girls above the age of seven have been selected after a rigorous camp held from June 10 to 15 in Dehradun. Of these, 42 will compete in speed skating, while others will represent the state in figure skating.
With the construction of the rink and such large-scale participation in National-level events, Himachal Pradesh is fast emerging as a promising center for winter sports in India.
