Latest news with #IndianWomen'sIceHockeyTeam
Time of India
a day ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Faced by 'go home, be mothers' taunts, India women's ice hockey team wins historic bronze at 2025 Asia Cup
Women's Ice Hockey Team The Indian Women's Ice Hockey Team secured their first-ever bronze medal at the 2025 IIHF Women's Asia Cup held in Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates from May 31 to June 6. The 20-member squad, comprising 10 players from Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), 9 from Leh, and 1 from Himachal Pradesh, competed against five other nations, winning three matches and losing two to claim the third position. The team's journey began in the mountainous regions of Ladakh and Spiti Valley, where women players practiced on frozen ponds during winter. Initially, they faced numerous challenges including lack of proper equipment and training facilities. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! In the early stages, the women players received limited access to training facilities, only getting rink time after male players finished their sessions. They had to use borrowed men's gear that was oversized and mismatched. "Go home, be mothers" and "Try dancing instead" were some of the remarks these players encountered during their journey. Despite these challenges, they persevered by creating their own rink and continued their pursuit of the sport. 'Nitish Kumar is a guy who can bowl that magic ball': India bowling coach Morne Morkel The Ladakh Women's Ice Hockey Foundation (LWIFH) was established to support and develop women's ice hockey in the region. Over the past decade, the foundation has made significant progress in training players and promoting the sport. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Düsseldorf: GEERS sucht 700 Testhörer für Hörgeräte ohne Zuzahlung GEERS Undo The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) acknowledged the achievement stating: "They made us proud! Indian Women's Ice Hockey Team clinched Bronze at the Asia Cup 2025 in UAE! The 20-member squad included 10 #Himveers from #ITBP, 9 players from Leh, and 1 from HP. 6 international teams competed." The team's success story includes notable figures like Rinchen Dolma, India's first captain, who returned to the sport five months after giving birth, bringing her daughter to practice sessions despite facing comments about being "old" or "too bold." The bronze medal marks a significant milestone for Indian women's ice hockey, coming nearly a decade after the country made its international debut at the IIHF Women's Challenge Cup of Asia Division I in 2016. Quiz: Who's that IPL player? The foundation has now started receiving government support, enabling the team to achieve new milestones. Their work extends beyond competition, as they now train children in remote villages, contributing to the sport's development at the grassroots level. The bronze medal victory has generated widespread recognition across India, with congratulatory messages pouring in from various quarters, acknowledging the team's determination and success in breaking barriers in this traditionally male-dominated sport.
News18
3 days ago
- Sport
- News18
How India's Little-known Women Ice Hockey Team Created History In Asia Cup
Last Updated: The Indian ice hockey team has won the bronze medal at the 2025 IIHF Women's Asia Cup. From the jagged mountains of Ladakh to securing their first-ever bronze medal at the 2025 IIHF Women's Asia Cup, the journey of the Indian Women's Ice Hockey Team is no less than an inspiration. The team took part in the tournament, held from May 31 to June 6 in Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates. After competing against five other nations in a total of five matches, the team won three and lost two, thus securing the third position on the podium. With this, as India has won its first-ever medal at the Women's Ice Hockey Asia Cup, congratulatory messages have been pouring in from across the country. The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) also paid a tribute to the players. 'They made us proud! Indian Women's Ice Hockey Team clinched Bronze at the Asia Cup 2025 in UAE! The 20-member squad included 10 #Himveers from #ITBP, 9 players from Leh, and 1 from HP. 6 international teams competed. #PrideOfIndia #IceHockey," the post read. They made us proud! 🇮🇳Indian Women's Ice Hockey Team clinched Bronze at the Asia Cup 2025 in UAE! 🏒🥉The 20-member squad included 10 #Himveers from #ITBP, 9 players from Leh, and 1 from HP. 6 international teams competed. #PrideOfIndia #IceHockey — ITBP (@ITBP_official) June 7, 2025 Samantha Ruth Prabhu reshared the story of the players, describing it as 'Badass." Amid the cheers and messages following the team's milestone, read along to know more about their story of resilience and determination. The journey began in the rugged terrains of Ladakh and Spiti Valley, where temperatures are known for dipping below freezing levels during winter. A group of young women decided to take up ice hockey, breaking societal barriers in a male-dominated sport. With no gear, no funding, no precedent, but just a dream, the women turned the frozen ponds into their battlegrounds. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Better India (@thebetterindia) In the early days, the women players were provided with just the training time on the rink, only after the male players, who even got first preferences for training, matches and even equipment. It was then that they started borrowing men's gear, which was both oversized and mismatched. Despite having met with remarks like 'Go home, be mothers" and 'Try dancing instead," the women laid down their own rink, and they didn't just stay but scored! They even formed the Ladakh Women's Ice Hockey Foundation (LWIFH), and over the next 10 years, the players have outgrown and touched new heights. From their international team competing overseas and representing India to the foundation training kids in remote villages, the women have truly pulled out all the stops to whack the patriarchy and stereotypes. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Richen Spituk (@richenhockey_20) top videos View all The foundation has started receiving support from the government, with the team now achieving new milestones. Rinchen Dolma, India's first captain, came back to the rink five months after giving birth amid comments that 'they're old" or 'too bold." Dolma's response? She would bring her daughter to the rink to practice together. With that said, the historic achievement came nearly a decade after India made its international debut at the IIHF Women's Challenge Cup of Asia Division I in 2016. The bronze is just a start, a promise to do more for themselves and the next generation. About the Author Buzz Staff A team of writers at bring you stories on what's creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture. News18's viral page features trending stories, videos, and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : Ice Hockey viral news Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: June 10, 2025, 13:12 IST News viral How India's Little-known Women Ice Hockey Team Created History In Asia Cup
