Tsewang Rigzin
LEH: With support from the Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) under BAPD, Phobrang village, located on the Chinese border in the eastern Ladakh, has been able to construct an international standard Ice Hockey Rink at an altitude of 4,650 meter above main sea level, making it higher in altitude than the one at Chibra where earlier this month attempt was made to create record in the Guinness Book of World Record for playing Ice Hockey tournament at an altitude of 4,375 meter above sea level.
The Ice Hockey Rink at Phobrang was inaugurated by Assistant Deputy Commissioner Leh Moses Kunzang at the concluding ceremony of a weeklong basic skating coaching organised for the youth of village Phobrang by Pangong Youth Cooperative for Social and Environmental Care with support from the ITBP Force.
Among others who were present on the occasion included 24th Battalion Deputy Commandant ITBP (Force) A.K Dabral, Councillor Chushul Konchok Stanzin and former Executive Councillor Dorjay Stanzin.
An exhibition match was also played to showcase the skills that participants had learnt during the weeklong coaching camp.
More than 50 youth took part in the coaching camp held last week at Phobrang Pangong, the village bordering the disputed Aksai Chin area.
ADC Leh Moses Kunzang has reportedly called it the best rink in Ladakh and assured to extend all possible support from the administration for the players in this sport.
Talking to STATETIMES on Wednesday, President Pangong Youth Cooperative for Social and Environmental Care, Konchok Stobgais appreciated the role of ITBP in preparing the rink and said villagers and the ITBP has been having an exceptionally cordial relation for years now.
“ITBP has always been a great helping hand for the villagers whenever required and similarly villagers also provide their service happily to the ITBP when the need arises,” he added.
Referring to the future plans of the Youth Society, Stobgais informed that next year a tournament will be scheduled at Phobrang in the month of November because the village being located on such a high altitude makes it possible for Ice Skating to happen from the month of November till March, a much longer season for ice hockey sports compared to other parts of Ladakh.
“It would be an ideal rink to organise matches like the CEC Cup tournament,” Stobgais suggested while talking about the standard of the rink and the spaces around it.
Pangong Youth Cooperative for Social and Environmental Care has demanded for a dressing room for the players and extension of the rink for the players to warm up.
