Photos: In Leh, starry skies await India’s women ice hockey players

Little known in the country, India's women’s ice hockey team, based in Leh, has managed to catch international attention by fighting odds and daring to persevere with a sport that has become their life’s passion.

Updated on: Feb 06, 2018 3:41 PM IST

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Tsewang Chorol, 19, had to fight parental pressure to follow her dream. “I would lie to my parents and go for practice and training. They wanted me to focus on my studies. Everyone says there is no scope for women in sports but this is my passion so I do whatever I can,” says Chorol. (Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

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Little known in the country, the girls, all from Ladakh, have been steadily gaining international fame. This month, the girls may also get a chance to meet Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, during his visit to India. (Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

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A member of the women’s ice hockey team practices during a workshop conducted by Canadian players at the Karzu ring in Leh. Internationally, the game is played on artificial rinks which are much larger and smoother than the natural ice rinks the team is used to playing on. (Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

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Shabina Kausar, a member of the national women’s ice hockey team, with her parents outside her home in Skamparay in Leh. (Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

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Shabina Kausar, 20, plays in the right forward position, but does not own a playing kit. “I am playing with borrowed equipment. The kit is very expensive and I’m from a lower-middle class family. The only pair of skates I own, I bought in 2011 for ₹8,000,” she said. (Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

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Dorjay Dolma, 25, a goal keeper with the national women’s ice hockey team in Leh. The team’s skates and sticks may seem worn out but their enthusiasm is fresh. (Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

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“Most people in India don’t even know that the sport exists. Once I was invited as a speaker along with vice-captain of the Indian cricket team Rohit Sharma on a panel. He was very encouraging, though for the audience it was like I didn’t exist,” said 21-year-old Diskit Angmo, who plays in the defence position. (Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

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The girls recall the hardships of the early days and how they had to make their own ice rink at Gupuks lake outside the city to be able to practice. Using the leftover money from a crowdfunding campaign, they formed the Ladakh Women Ice Hockey Foundation and haven’t looked back since. (Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)