Karzoo to host ice hockey event

With a thick blanket of snow and ice capping the Himalayas, loyal ice hockey lovers are headed to Ladakh for a tournament at the world’s highest ice rink to be sponsored by financial services organisation Sun Life Financial.

To be run by The Hockey Foundation, the Canadian firm has pumped in funds to not only run the tournament but also enable more coaches to travel to India from North America to teach the game to local players. Ten such coaches will help Indian children around the country.

Ice Hockey is Canada’s national winter sport. The game has been slowly growing in popularity in India as well, particularly since The Hockey Foundation started promoting the tournament in Karzoo and coaching local youth.

Started by sport enthusiasts from Canada, ice hockey at Karzoo has grown to become an annual event, drawing interest of teams and players from different corners of the world.

The event also provides the local population an important platform to promote their unique culture and hospitality. During the season, the place is thronged by not just athletes, but also sports enthusiasts who travel to catch a game in the snowy, a Sun Life statement said.