Leh (Ladakh), August 7, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Indian Army Ice Hockey Team emerged champions of the inaugural Challengers’ Cup after defeating Leh Kings 6-5 in a thrilling final at the Nawang Dorjay Stobdan (NDS) Stadium in Leh.
The high-intensity title clash saw Leh Kings, representing the finest emerging talent from the Ice Hockey League, push India’s most accomplished ice hockey side to the limit before eventually conceding a late decisive goal.
Padma Namgail scored the winning goal in the closing moments of the match after receiving an assist from Phuntsog Namgail, sealing the historic first-ever Challengers’ Cup title for the Indian Army team in front of a packed stadium.
Leh Kings started strongly, with Tsering Angchuk opening the scoring after converting a precise assist from Mushtaque Ahmad Giri. The Indian Army Ice Hockey Team quickly responded as Dorjay Angchuk equalised through Phuntsog Namgail’s assist, before Jigmath Kunzang put his team ahead by scoring off Padma Namgail’s pass.
The Army side extended its lead early in the second period when Rigzin Norboo found the net following a move created by Stanzin Namgail.
However, Leh Kings staged a strong comeback, with Stanzin Angchok scoring twice in quick succession with assists from Stanzin Lotus and Mushtaque Ahmad Giri to level the score at 3-3.
Rigzin Norboo restored the Indian Army team’s lead with his second goal of the evening, but Leh Kings responded once again as Chamba Tsetan converted Tsering Angchuk’s assist to make it 4-4 heading into the final period.
Leh Kings completed another turnaround early in the third period when Stanzin Angchok completed his hat-trick to give his side a 5-4 advantage.
Facing their first defeat threat of the tournament, the Indian Army Ice Hockey Team displayed composure and experience. Jigmath Kunzang scored his second goal of the night to equalise before Padma Namgail delivered the match-winning strike to secure a 6-5 victory.
The individual awards reflected the quality of competition throughout the tournament. Indian Army Ice Hockey Team goalkeeper Sonam Tsetan was named Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament, while Leh Kings forward Tsering Angchuk received the Best Player of the Tournament award.
The Challengers’ Cup was created as a competitive platform connecting grassroots development with elite-level competition, giving emerging players from the Himalayan region an opportunity to compete against India’s leading institutional teams.
The tournament was organised under the Royal Enfield Social Mission in collaboration with the Ice Hockey Association of Ladakh and the Ice Hockey Association of Lahaul & Spiti. Five teams participated in the round-robin tournament, including Leh Kings, Kargil Warriors, Spiti Titans, the Indian Army Ice Hockey Team and the Central Ice Hockey Team of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).
Apart from competitive matches, the regional teams participated in specialised on-ice training sessions from August 1 to 4, working with experienced coaches to improve technical abilities and tactical understanding.
Indian Army Ice Hockey Team captain Tsewang Namgyal said the tournament provided valuable exposure to young players from Ladakh and Spiti.
He said that hosting the Challengers’ Cup during the peak tourism season allowed emerging athletes to showcase their skills before thousands of spectators, many of whom experienced competitive ice hockey for the first time.
The tournament marked a significant milestone for Himalayan ice hockey, with matches being hosted at Leh’s upgraded all-season artificial ice rink. The six-day event attracted more than 15,000 spectators, helping expand the reach of the sport beyond its traditional winter season.
The initiative further strengthens the player development pathway and reflects efforts by Royal Enfield, along with regional ice hockey associations, to build a sustainable, community-driven sports ecosystem in the Himalayan region.
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