* Journey from semi-nomadic village to playing for India
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
LEH, Feb 4: Ice hockey player Skarma Rinchen’s journey is incredibly motivating, demonstrating the ability of perseverance and hard work to change lives. Considering the difficult terrain and severe winters of Ladakh, the 20-year-old’s story takes on a special significance because of her origins in Gya Meru, a semi-nomadic village.
In 2017, during an ice hockey training workshop in her village, Skarma saw an ice-skating boot for the first time but struggled to even stand on the blades. The following year, with some improvement, she developed a growing interest despite limited practice opportunities.
After attending a 15-day workshop in Leh organized by the Women’s Association changed her story. There, Skarma Rinchen met girls from the Indian women’s national ice hockey team and showed up to their practice sessions regularly and eventually earned a chance to train alongside them. In 2023, Skarma, a left forward, is herself a national team player.
While she adds to Ladakh’s contribution to the national team, Skarma was part of the Maryul Spamo Leh squad that won a gold medal in the Royal Enfield Ice Hockey League, a championship which was started by the UT administration in January this year to tap the grassroots in Ladakh.
Skarma was part of the Ladakh women’s team that won silver in the national ice hockey championships 2024 in Kaza (Himachal Pradesh). Her maiden international debut came at the 2023 IIHF Women’s Asia and Oceania Championship in Thailand.
It was not a happy debut for Skarma as India lost to Iran but for the young Ladakhi village girl, it was a moment to savour. “I was nervous before my first international game. An artificial rink was something I had never known existed as I had only seen a natural rink. When I stepped onto the court, the tall girls and their gears seemed intimidating. It was overwhelming, but we managed to reach the semi-finals.”
After losing to Iran, Indian women beat Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Malaysia. India lost to Thailand in the semi-final. Thailand finally won the gold beating Iran in the final.
Skarma’s intention is to convey a powerful message on resilience and determination, specifically aimed at girls who encounter obstacles. As ice hockey is a demanding sport, girls often have a tendency to easily give up when they get hurt. However, Skarma believes that believing in oneself and putting in dedicated effort are the crucial elements for excelling in a game like this.
Skarma recognized the importance of the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) as the fourth edition welcomed women’s teams for the first time. She states that she is “excited to compete on my home ground, I believe that this national-level event will break barriers and create more opportunities for female athletes across the country”.
Skarma sees ice hockey as more than just a game, acknowledging its transformative impact. It initially becomes an escape during slow winters, offering physical activity to eventually becoming an opportunity to see the world. Her participation, nationally and internationally was the dream that wasn’t possible had it not been for Ice-Hockey.
Beyond her personal achievements, Skarma hopes that professional ice hockey will open up more job opportunities, highlighting potential socio-economic benefits for girls hailing from remote villages in Ladakh.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
