Indian Women’s Ice Hockey Team Logs Its 1st International Win

A late Women’s Day gift to India — the Indian Women’s Ice Hockey team has created history.

Abhipsha Mahapatro
Sports
Updated:
Indian Women’s Ice Hockey Team. (Photo Courtesy: Ice Hockey Association of India & The Logical Indian)
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Indian Women’s Ice Hockey Team. (Photo Courtesy: Ice Hockey Association of India & The Logical Indian)
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A group of 20 Indian girls in Thailand, gave the country a late Women’s Day present as they won their very first international win.

Indian Women’s Ice Hockey team is participating in the IIHF Challenge Cup of Asia 2017. In a scintillating match, India beat Philippines 4-3 to register their first international win on 10 March.

The team faced many hurdles to get where they are, with funding being their biggest enemy. Lack of funds made it difficult for them to get good gear and and proper training. However, against all odds, they made a mark in the international arena.

(Photo Courtesy: Ice Hockey Association of India & The Logical Indian)
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The team made its debut in the 2016 Challenge of Asia, held in Chinese Taipei. The Challenge Cup was a new tournament which aimed to support Ice Hockey friendly countries in Asia. However, their debut performance did not go as planned.

Their win is special, not only because it is their first, but also because of all the hard work that has gone into making it an international level team. Many of these girls come from villages in Ladakh, with no access to any Ice Hockey training facility.

(Photo Courtesy: Ice Hockey Association of India & The Logical Indian)

Since their first win on 10 March, India has lost matches to New Zealand (10-1) and Thailand (20-1) respectively. They are yet to play one last match against Malaysia on 15 March, which is when the tournament is set to conclude as well.

(Photo Courtesy: Ice Hockey Association of India & The Logical Indian)

As Assistant Captain Tsewang Chuskit puts it, “this isn't just our victory. It belongs to all the Indians, especially the girls.”

Video Editor: Purnendu Pritam

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Published: 14 Mar 2017,07:48 PM IST

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