When sports become the topic of conversation in India, cricket takes centre stage. Other sports rarely get their due. There are several reasons behind this, including corruption, lack of resources, inadequate awareness, and a lack of support.
The conclusion is always the same: nothing will change in this country. However, one group of women completely changed this narrative.
While many athletes in this country quietly gave up their dreams, suffocating under neglect, these women carved their path. Overcoming limited resources, societal ridicule, and harsh realities, they scripted history by clinching a Bronze medal at the Asian Games 2025.
This is their story—one of grit, resilience, passion, and triumph. So, journey with us to the cold, windswept peaks of Ladakh, where on frozen lakes and borrowed skates, the Indian Women’s Ice Hockey team dared to dream—and turned that dream into reality.
The win we know
By now, we all know that the Indian Women’s Ice Hockey Team created history at the 2025 Asian Games held in Al Ain, UAE, by securing their first-ever international medal—a bronze.
It was not a straightforward win, though, as they had to fight not just internal demons, but also some of the biggest teams on the continent. India was pipped against seasoned opponents like Iran, the Philippines, the UAE, Kyrgyzstan, and Malaysia. Yet they managed to win three out of five games.
During their determined journey to a podium finish, they faced several challenging scenarios. However, one of the defining moments of the tournament was their game against the UAE, which was tied on 4-4 and went into overtime.
Stanzin Dolkar, the player from the ITBP, stepped up to become the hero of the game. She scored the decisive goal to help her team seal a memorable 5-4 win. This win reflected the Indian team’s dedication and impressive performance throughout the tournament.
Along with a win against the UAE, they also defeated nations like Singapore and Malaysia to secure third place among the six competitive teams.
The struggle we don’t
While we got to celebrate their wins, only a few know about the struggles they had to endure leading to the podium finish. And no, these were not just athletic battles. Their journey is filled with far more than that.
Away from the spotlight, these women overcame incredible adversities. They fought more than just their opponents—they fought harsh conditions, societal prejudices, lack of infrastructure, and deep-rooted stigmas.
Yet, with each obstacle they overcame, their resolve only intensified.
Practising on frozen lakes
Competing in a sport that has no traction or appeal for the masses is not easy. The women’s ice hockey team knew that very well. Hence, in the absence of professional rinks, they had to learn to navigate the uneven terrains of the lakes of Ladakh.
While the other teams they were competing against had professional facilities, these Indian women were competing on natural lakes in freezing temperatures.
To make things worse, they often had to practice in wee hours of the day or dead of the night to accommodate the men’s team. Yet, they remained determined in their pursuit of glory.
Borrowed and Makeshift equipment
Since the sport was neglected entirely and there was no proper government body to help the team, it doesn’t come as a surprise to know that these players couldn’t afford adequate hockey gear, which is both rare and expensive.
As a result, they had to compete in oversized, mismatched equipment, borrowing skates and sticks left behind by men's teams. Despite uncomfortable and sometimes unsafe gear, they persisted, gradually mastering the sport against these odds.
Societal Prejudice and Taunts
Women are subjected to social resistance whenever they step out of the stereotype. And what our Women’s Ice Hockey team faced, before making it big, was no different.
They were frequently met with sexist taunts: "Go home, become mothers" or "Hockey isn't meant for women". Others advised them to abandon the sport entirely, suggesting "dance" or other pursuits considered more traditionally associated with women seeking to earn a place in society.
Isolation and Limited Visibility
Ice hockey, especially women's ice hockey, remained largely invisible to mainstream India. With little support or recognition from national sports authorities and minimal media attention, these players often battled feelings of isolation and uncertainty about their future in the sport.
Despite it all, these women chose to rewrite their narrative, transforming their struggles into strength, ultimately stepping onto a podium that once seemed unreachable.
Formation of Ladakh Women’s Ice Hockey Foundation (LWIHF)
Frustrated by persistent gender bias, lack of resources, and social discouragement, Ladakh’s pioneering women ice hockey players made a crucial decision in 2015 to establish something that would alter the destiny of women's ice hockey in India: The Ladakh Women’s Ice Hockey Foundation (LWIHF).
Having faced several adversities over the years, they understood that only a good organisation, solely dedicated to women’s upliftment in the particular sport in their region, could change their fate.
Their goal was clear: ensure that the next generation of girls would never have to endure the same struggles.
Mission and Impact of LWIHF
The Ladakh Women’s Ice Hockey Foundation quickly became the backbone of the sport, driving transformation in several critical ways:
Grassroots Development: Organising training camps, tournaments, and outreach in rural areas, often constructing their own makeshift rinks.
Providing Equipment and Structured Training: Raising funds, sourcing gear, and securing crucial rink time for players.
Mentorship and Community Building: Senior players and foundation members actively mentored younger athletes, helping them navigate both athletic and societal challenges.
Expanding Outreach: Taking ice hockey beyond Ladakh, reaching neighbouring regions like Himachal Pradesh, and empowering more girls to participate.
Advocacy and Visibility: Relentless advocacy by LWIHF gradually attracted governmental and institutional support, leading to improved resources and recognition.
Lasting Impact: The Bronze Medal of 2025
The true impact of LWIHF became undeniable in 2025, as most players behind India's historic bronze medal at the Asian Games emerged from its grassroots programs. With structured training, proper equipment, and dedicated mentorship, the Foundation enabled these women to shine under pressure, highlighted by their thrilling overtime victory against the UAE.
Their triumph was more than a medal; it symbolised resilience, unity, and the immense potential unlocked by community-driven support. Today, LWIHF continues to empower young girls, encouraging them to chase their dreams without fear, redefine possibilities, and ensure the legacy of Ladakh’s pioneering athletes continues to inspire future generations across India.
Breaking Ice, Making History
This isn’t just a story about a medal. It’s about what happens when belief meets courage. These women didn’t wait for change. They became it. In doing so, they gave countless young girls a reason to dream, even if the world around them says otherwise.
They proved that you don’t need perfect gear or polished rinks to chase something you love. Just heart. Their journey is a quiet promise that the future can look different.
A future where every sport matters, where every athlete matters, and where no girl is told she can’t just because no one else did before her.
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