Chandigarh Ice Hockey Teams Make History with Silver and Bronze Medals at Khelo India Winter Games
In a remarkable display of skill and determination, Chandigarh's men's and women's ice hockey teams have returned from the 6th edition of the Khelo India Winter Games in Ladakh with prestigious silver and bronze medals. This achievement marks one of their strongest performances to date, highlighting the growing prowess of ice hockey in the Union Territory.
Men's Team's Journey to Silver: A Story of Resilience
For men's team captain Unnatveer Singh, 23, the silver medal represents the culmination of years of dedicated training since his sub-junior days. "We have the skill and confidence. With more practice, especially to improve our speed, we can do even better," he stated, reflecting on the team's journey. Despite having very limited access to ice facilities, the squad's resilience shone through in their second appearance at the Winter Games.
Chandigarh's campaign began with a promising 5-2 victory over Jammu, but they faced a challenging 10-1 defeat against Army in the league stage. Undeterred, they bounced back with a decisive 6-1 win over Himachal Pradesh. The semi-final against Ladakh was a tense battle, with Chandigarh leading 3-1 entering the third quarter. After Ladakh narrowed the gap to 3-2, Chandigarh defended fiercely in the final four minutes with only three players and their goalkeeper, securing a historic place in the final.
In the title clash, Chandigarh pushed the dominant Army side to the limit, keeping the score level at 2-2 until the last two minutes before eventually losing 3-2. "Last year, in our debut, we finished fifth. This time, after practicing on ice for only about 10 days, we reached the finals," Unnatveer noted, emphasizing the team's rapid progress.
Women's Team's Bronze Medal: A Triumph Against Odds
On the women's side, captain Gunika Bhatti, 22, described the bronze medal as particularly special, given that the team had managed only one practice session in Dehradun before the tournament. Their toughest contest came against Himachal Pradesh, where the match remained tied throughout regular time before Chandigarh scored in extra time to clinch the bronze.
The coaching team of Gaurav Raheja and Rohit Randhawa, supported by Chetanpreet Singh, guided both squads. Raheja highlighted that the women's bronze served as a morale booster for the men ahead of their final, adding that the brief ice training in Dehradun played a crucial role in their performance.
Ice Hockey's Growth and Grassroots Development in India
Harjinder Singh, general secretary of the Ice Hockey Association of India, noted that the sport has been steadily expanding its footprint across the country. He traced its origins to the Shimla Ice Skating Club nearly a century ago, from where it gradually spread to regions such as Ladakh. To nurture talent at the grassroots, the association recently launched a pilot Under-14 league. "The league began on Dec 22, 2025, and the second phase will start on Jan 31. We are focusing on U-14 as there is strong potential," he explained.
Recognition from Leadership
Following their return, the teams met Gulab Chand Kataria, the governor of Punjab and UT Chandigarh administrator, at Lok Bhavan on Thursday. He congratulated the men for their silver and the women for their bronze in their national-level debut, calling it a proud moment for the Union Territory. Kataria praised their determination against traditional ice hockey strongholds like Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh and lauded the Chandigarh contingent of 20 boys, 18 girls, two coaches, and supporting officials.
This performance not only showcases Chandigarh's rising status in ice hockey but also underscores the broader growth of winter sports in India, driven by initiatives like the Khelo India Winter Games.
