Ladakh Scouts Excel at Khelo India Winter Games, Championing Ice Hockey Growth

• The Ladakh Scouts, an Indian Army mountain infantry regiment, are achieving medal-winning performances at the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) in Leh.
• They are excelling in events like ice hockey and ice skating, showcasing their experience from extreme terrains.
• The Ladakh Scouts aim to popularize ice hockey across India, beyond Leh's icy confines, despite the sport's expensive infrastructure needs.
• They began playing ice hockey in the late 1970s, later formalizing training and creating natural ice rinks.
• Captain Parth Jagtap emphasized the need for more Olympic-size artificial ice rinks and corporate backing to expand the sport nationwide.

Why It Matters: Ladakh Scouts are not only dominating KIWG but also spearheading efforts to popularize ice hockey across India.