Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Kavinder Gupta on Friday inspected the under-construction international-standard indoor ice hockey rink at NDS Stadium, terming it a major stride toward transforming Ladakh into India’s winter sports capital.
Gupta praised Ladakh’s rapid growth as the country’s leading hub for ice hockey, noting that athletes from the region constitute a significant share of both the men’s and women’s national teams. He said the new facility will further strengthen Ladakh’s position on the national winter sports map.
Rs 51-Crore World-Class Facility
The L-G reviewed progress on the ₹51-crore project, which will include:
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A fully automated chilling plant
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Modern spectator seating
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Professional-grade amenities
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Provision for year-round training, allowing players to practice even during the off-season
He said the venue would enable Ladakh’s athletes to train at global standards and host major national tournaments in the future.
Ladakh Eyes Khelo India Winter Games
Reaffirming the UT Administration’s commitment to promoting local sports talent, Gupta said Ladakh is prepared to host the third edition of the Khelo India Winter Games. A formal proposal, he said, has already been submitted to the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports.
Directions to Expedite Work
Gupta instructed officials to speed up the construction process — especially the installation of the chilling system — to ensure the rink becomes operational at the earliest.
“This facility represents Ladakh’s ambition to lead India’s winter sports movement,” he said.
Senior officials from Youth Services & Sports, the Public Works Department, and the Ice Hockey Federation of India accompanied the L-G during the inspection.
