On Republic Day, the Indian Army claimed the ice-hockey gold medal during the Khelo India Winter Games held at the NDS Stadium. They had to dig deep into their experience to defeat a spirited Chandigarh team with a close score of 3-2. The thrilling finish showcased the best of ice hockey as the Army scored the match-winning goal just three minutes before the game ended.
Chandigarh’s journey to this final was remarkable. Just last year, they were newcomers to the ice hockey scene, and their victory over the home team Ladakh in the semifinals had already made waves. They stunned everyone by winning that match 3-2, which highlighted their quick rise in the sport. The Chandigarh team demonstrated resilience against the Army, coming back from being two goals down, almost forcing extra time. Interestingly, earlier in the tournament, they had suffered a heavy loss to the same opponent, going down 10-1. The contrasts in performance were astonishing.
The atmosphere at NDS Stadium was electric, filled to capacity long before the final began. Fans were eager to witness this exciting championship moment. The Army struck first in the sixth minute, thanks to a long-range flick by Padma Namgail. Then, in the tenth minute, Tsewang Dorjay solidified their lead with a second goal. Despite the odds, Chandigarh refused to give up.
The second period saw no goals, but it was a display of clean, skillful hockey. Unlike many games dominated by physical play, both teams focused on technique, making it a visually appealing match. Chandigarh finally shifted gears in the final quarter. They scored twice in quick succession, first through Gurtej Singh Bhatti, then with a deft flick from Birshahaanjit Singh, who found the back of the net after an intense review by the referees lasting over ten minutes.
The Army, shaken by Chandigarh’s comeback, ramped up their offensive efforts. The moment Chandigarh faltered, Padma Norboo capitalized, sealing the victory for the Army with his long-range goal. Gaurav Raheja, the head coach of the Chandigarh team, expressed immense pride in his players. He stated, “I think that we are the winners. It was truly an exceptional experience, and everything happened by the grace of God. This journey has meant a lot to us. We promise to work even harder next time.”
Birshahaanjit, who scored one of the crucial goals, shared his journey, “I have been playing inline hockey for the past eight years, which has honed my skating, dribbling, and puck control skills. I feel we have made significant progress since last year when we finished fifth. I believe we will compete for the gold next time.”
Padma Namgail reflected on the challenges his team faced after Chandigarh leveled the score. He admitted, “Honestly, we didn’t expect them to come back this strong. They played exceptionally well, but we were not at our best either.”
The Republic Day celebrations also featured a variety of ice-skating events. The mixed relay heats saw top skaters from different states showcasing their talents. The strongest teams competed fiercely, leading to Maharashtra clinching gold with a time of 3:22.47 seconds. Ladakh secured a silver medal, while Karnataka finished in third place.
Overall, Haryana emerged as the champions of the Khelo India Winter Games in Ladakh, driven by a remarkable performance from their figure and ice skaters. Haryana topped the medal tally with four gold medals. Ladakh, Maharashtra, and Telangana each secured two gold medals, with their ranks decided by the number of silver medals collected.
As the KIWG 2026 unfolds, the standard of performances has noticeably improved over previous editions. National coach Mohammad Abbas Nordak praised the individual timing and technique displayed by the skaters. “The next step is to nurture these talented individuals,” he emphasized, highlighting the importance of providing opportunities for international competition.
The event has ignited a passion for winter sports in India, showcasing that hard work and dedication can lead teams to remarkable achievements. The experiences of Chandigarh and the efforts from various states only add to the excitement for the future of ice hockey in the country.
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Original Text – https://www.thehansindia.com/sports/kiwg-2026-army-retain-ice-hockey-gold-chandigarh-win-hearts-haryana-emerge-overall-champions-hosts-ladakh-finish-no-2-1042637