Kaza plays host to ice hockey cup, speed skating contests

Dipender Manta Mandi

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Mandi, February 13

Under the aegis of Ice Hockey Association Lahaul Spiti and Royal Enfield, Ice Hockey Cup and Ice Speed Skates championship began at Ice Hockey Rink, Kaza, in tribal district of Lahaul and Spiti yesterday. The tournament is being organised in a temperature of minus 20 degrees Celsius.

This event was inaugurated by the Himachal Pradesh Forest Development Corporation vice president Kehar Singh Khachi. Additional Deputy Commissioner at Kaza, Rahul Jain honoured the chief guest by presenting a Thangka painting to him. Kehar Singh Khachi said ever since the government has been formed in the state under the leadership of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, all-round development was taking place across the state.

“Congress had given 10 guarantees to the people of the state, out of which two have been fulfilled. Apart from this, remaining other guarantees will be fulfilled within the next four years” he added.

“Geographical conditions of Spiti attract tourists here. The state government will develop Spiti under eco-tourism so that the local youth can get self-employment at their doorstep. The culture of Spiti is centuries old and the people have preserved it,” he said.

Khachi added that, “Today, whenever ice hockey discussion starts in the state, everyone’s attention goes towards Spiti. Spiti is now being recognised for organising Ice hockey competitions.”

Maintaining that sports is necessary for overall development, Khachi said, “It is also necessary from tourism point of view. Today, the young generation is falling into the trap of drugs. To stay away from drugs, it is necessary to turn youth toward sports. The state government was providing infrastructure and opportunities from village to state level to take the best players to international level.” The Himachal team has won the bronze in the recently held Ice Hockey Championship at Kaza. Khachi announced Rs 10,000 to the groups presenting cultural programmes.

ADC Rahul Jain said Royal Enfield has donated ice hockey equipment worth more than Rs 23 lakh to children of Spiti.

The first match in Spiti Cup was played between Sham Zone and Todd Zone, in which the latter won by 5-0.

In speed skates, Under-8, Under-12, Under-16 and open categories, two players each have been selected for the next round.