From Guarding Borders To Building Sports Culture, Ladakh Scouts Push Ice Hockey Forward On 77th Republic Day

As India marks its 77th Republic Day, a quiet but powerful sporting movement is taking shape far from the country's usual sporting centres.

In the icy valleys of Leh, the Ladakh Scouts of the Indian Army are doing far more than guarding the nation's borders. They are steadily driving India's ice hockey ambitions, blending military discipline with a long-term vision to take the sport beyond the mountains and into the national mainstream.

Army's dominance at Khelo India Winter Games

The first leg of the sixth edition of the Khelo India Winter Games 2026 is currently underway in Leh, featuring ice hockey and ice skating events. Once again, the Ladakh Scouts, competing under the name "Army", have emerged as a formidable force. Their consistent performances over the years have made them one of the most feared teams in the tournament.

On Republic Day Monday, Army are set to face surprise finalists Chandigarh in the men's ice hockey final. While medals and victories have become familiar territory for the Ladakh Scouts at the Winter Games, those closely associated with the team believe their real contribution lies beyond results.

From frozen ponds to organised excellence

Ice hockey has been part of Ladakh Scouts' culture for decades. Though there is no official record, the regiment is believed to have started playing the sport in the late 1970s, using frozen natural surfaces and minimal equipment, largely for recreation. Serious efforts began in the late 1980s when natural rinks were prepared and proper equipment was imported, despite high costs.

Today, a full ice hockey kit for a single player can cost up to Rs 4 lakh. After the regiment was raised as a full infantry unit in 2000, its commitment to the sport intensified, both in terms of infrastructure and structured training.

At present, India has only two Olympic size artificial ice rinks, one in Dehradun and the other in Leh at the indoor Nawang Dorjay Stobdan Stadium. This limitation remains one of the biggest obstacles to the sport's growth.

"To make ice hockey truly a popular sport, we need more such rinks all over the country. For now, the sport is largely confined to Leh (Ladakh). We need to spread the sport to the other corners of the country and that's only how we can help the sport grow," Captain Parth Jagtap said.

Khelo India push and the need for corporate support

Captain Jagtap, who is part of the Army squad at the 2026 Khelo India Winter Games and was honoured last year in Mumbai with the Distinguished Award for Outstanding Sports and Academic Achievements, credited the Khelo India initiative for raising the sport's profile.

"The involvement of Khelo India has helped in many ways. There is much more awareness about ice hockey through the media coverage. Also, the awareness about what all needs to be done to truly make it a popular sport in the country," he said.

However, infrastructure remains a costly challenge. A basic ice rink can cost around Rs 15 crore, while an indoor stadium with a seating capacity of about 5,000 can require an investment of Rs 40 to 50 crore. According to those involved, large scale corporate backing will be crucial if ice hockey is to expand beyond Ladakh.

There is optimism that if major corporate groups such as Reliance, Adani or Tata step in, the sport's landscape in India could change rapidly and reach regions far beyond the Himalayan belt.

Going beyond duty to build a sporting legacy

The Ladakh Scouts' commitment to ice hockey has already delivered results at the international level. Last year, their last-minute financial support helped the Indian women's national team compete at the IIHF Women's Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates, where the team secured its first ever bronze medal.

Known as the Snow Leopards or Snow Warriors, the Ladakh Scouts continue to take on responsibilities that extend far beyond military obligations. As India celebrates its Republic Day, their efforts stand as a reminder that service to the nation can take many forms, including building a sporting future where India becomes a recognised name on the global ice hockey stage.