Story of Skarma Rinchen: How ice hockey changed this Ladakhi village girl’s life

From a semi-nomadic village to playing for the Indian national, Skarma Rinchen
is a classic case demonstrating the transformative power of sports
Leh, February 3: Skarma Rinchen’s ice hockey journey is truly inspiring,
showcasing the transformative power of determination and hard work.
Originating from Gya Meru, a semi-nomadic village in Ladakh, adds a unique
dimension to the 20-year-old’s story, considering Ladakh's challenging terrain
and harsh winters.
In 2017, during an ice hockey training workshop in her village, Skarma saw an
ice-skating boot for the first time but struggled to even stand on the blades.
The following year, with some improvement, she developed a growing interest
despite limited practice opportunities.
Attending a 15-day workshop in Leh organized by the Women’s Association
changed her story. There, Skarma Rinchen met girls from the Indian women’s
national ice hockey team and showed up to their practice sessions regularly
and eventually earned a chance to train alongside them. In 2023, Skarma, a left
forward, is herself a national team player.
While she adds to Ladakh’s contribution to the national team, Skarma was part
of the Maryul Spamo Leh squad that won gold medal in the Royal Enfield Ice
Hockey League, a championship which started by the UT administration in
January this year to tap the grassroots in Ladakh.
Skarma was part of the Ladakh women’s team that won silver in the national
ice hockey championships 2024 in Kaza (Himachal Pradesh). Her maiden
international debut came at the 2023 IIHF Women’s Asia and Oceania
Championship in Thailand.
It was not a happy debut for Skarma as India lost to Iran but for the young
Ladakhi village girl, it was a moment to savour. “I was nervous before my first

international game. An artificial rink was something I had never knew existed
as I had only seen natural rink. When I stepped onto the court, the tall girls and
their gears seemed intimidating. It was overwhelming, but we managed to
reach the semi-finals.”
After losing to Iran, Indian women beat Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Malaysia.
India lost to Thailand in the semifinal. Thailand finally won the gold beating
Iran in the final.
Skarma hopes to send a message about resilience and determination,
especially for girls facing challenges as “ice hockey is a physically challenging
game and girls especially tend to give up fast when they are hurt, believing in
oneself and working hard is the key to mastering a game like this.”
Skarma’s journey, from struggling on skates in 2017 to making it to the
national ice hockey team in 2023, underscores the rewards of persistence.
Skarma recognizes the importance of the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) as
the fourth edition welcomes women's teams for the first time. She states that
she is “excited to compete on my home ground, I believe that this national-
level event will break barriers and create more opportunities for female
athletes across the country”.
Skarma sees ice hockey as more than just a game, acknowledging its
transformative impact. It initially become an escape during slow winters,
offering physical activity to eventually becoming an opportunity to see the
world. Her participation, nationally and internationally was the dream that
wasn’t possible had it not been for Ice-Hockey.
Beyond her personal achievements, Skarma hopes that professional ice hockey
will open up more job opportunities, highlighting potential socio-economic
benefits for girls hailing from remote villages in Ladakh.
In essence, Skarma Rinchen's story encapsulates the transformative power of
sports and the resilience needed to overcome challenges, serving as an
inspiration for aspiring athletes, especially girls in remote villages of Ladakh
and beyond.
For medal tally: https://winter.kheloindia.gov.in/medal-tally
For website: https://winter.kheloindia.gov.in/
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Photo caption:
Skarma Rinchen of Union Territory of Ladakh at the NDS Stadium in Leh.
(Photo: DIPR – Ladakh)
ABOUT KHELO INDIA WINTER GAMES 2024
The Khelo India Winter Games 2024 is tshe fourth edition of the annual event
in the Khelo India calendar. The Union Territory of Ladakh is making its debut
as hosts this year alongside the UT of Jammu & Kashmir, which has
organised the Games from 2020. Leh will be the venue for the first part of the
Games from February 2-6. The Games are scheduled to move to Gulmarg
between February 21-25. While Ladakh will be conducting games — ice
hockey and speed skating — Jammu and Kashmir will conduct ski
mountaineering, Alpine skiing, snowboarding, Nordic ski and gandola. The
Khelo India Winter Games are part of the Khelo India Mission, a brainchild of
Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. It is the PM’s endeavour to give
importance to all types of Olympic sports and produce a feeder channel of
talented sportspersons who can shine for India at the highest levels of
sporting excellence.