National women's ice hockey camp begins at Kaza

Tribune News Service

Mandi, December 25

The second National Ice Hockey Development Camp started at Kaza in Lahaul and Spiti district today. Technical Education Minister Ram Lal Markanda inaugurated the event.

Before the first match, a tribute was paid to Spiti’s ice hockey player Karma Yeshe Khando. Ice hockey players of different states are taking part in the event.

Additional District Magistrate Mohan Dutt Sharma said Winter Olympics could also be organised here. Spiti is now being identified with ice hockey in the country.

Addressing the audience, Markanda said, “A national-level Women Development Camp in Spiti will give a boost to the tourism industry. This time women’s national ice hockey championship is being held at Kaza.”

“We are going to build a high-altitude sports centre at Kaza in which national and international competitions can be held. An international ice-skiing competition will be organised in Lahaul and Spiti,” he said.

“In 2019, we started ice hockey here and hosted a national competition in just three years. The National Women’s Ice Hockey Championship will start from January 16. Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur and Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur have been invited for that event” said Markanda.

The minister condoled the death of the ice hockey player and decided to give Rs 50,000 to the family of the deceased. Along with this, the Karma Yeshe Khando Memorial Award will be given to the best player of Spiti’s ice hockey players every year and prize money of Rs 25,000 will also be released.

Khando was studying in Class VIII. Last year, Khando participated from Himachal in the National Women’s Ice Hockey Championship held in Gulmarg and played an important role in getting the bronze medal.