On an icy day in Leh, the 1000 metres long-track finals for men and women at the Gupukh\u2019s Pond were impacted due to heavy snowfall, the first in weeks in this Union Territory. Due to poor visibility and the condition of the 333 metres course, the women\u2019s final was badly impacted towards the middle stages. The men\u2019s race did not start.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Defending champions Army sealed their berth in the men\u2019s ice hockey semifinal from Group A. Playing at their \u2018home\u2019 turf, the Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre rink, Army thrashed Jammu & Kashmir 11-0. They will play ITBP, the No. 2 team in Group B, in the semifinals. Hosts Ladakh are sitting on top of Group B. Both men\u2019s semis are on Saturday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In the women\u2019s semifinals at Nawang Dorjay Stobdan (NDS) Stadium on Friday afternoon, both Ladakh and ITBP girls decimated their opponents with ease. The new-look NDS Stadium has a roof now, and the snowfall did not matter.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Ladakh women beat Himachal Pradesh 14-0 while ITBP beat Chandigarh 10-1. The women\u2019s final will be a repeat of the KWG 2025 final, where Ladakh defeated ITBP 4-0 in a thrilling contest. Women\u2019s ice hockey competition started only in KIWG 2024.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Tsewang Chuskit\u2019s hat-trick and a brace each from veteran star Padma Chorol, Rinchen Dolma, Padma Desal, Samina Khatoon, and Rigzin Yangdol left Himachal Pradesh completely flattened.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWe have won all four matches so far in KIWG 2026. Even though I am the captain, we have seniors guiding us on the ice and in the locker room. The younger girls are also playing well and scoring goals. We have a good coach, and his strategy worked in today\u2019s match. Also, the UT Administration\u2019s support in our training has been tremendous, and the selection process was conducted through trials in both Leh and Kargil,\u201d said Ladakh skipper Yangdol, adding: \u201cWe are excited for the finals, and we will hopefully lift the cup once again.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Dechen Dolker\u2019s hat-trick was the highlight of ITBP\u2019s win against Chandigarh in the second women\u2019s semifinal. Tashi Dolker and Sharap Yangset scored two apiece to bolster ITBP\u2019s scoreline. While this one-sided scoreline was not unexpected, Gunika Kaur Bhatti received the loudest cheer for scoring a consolation goal for Chandigarh.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cLast year, we lost to Ladakh because we were underprepared. This year, it\u2019s different. We are more prepared, and I believe in my team. Usually, we face the Ladakh team in many tournaments, but this year, there was only one major event\u2014the LG Cup, which happened recently. Most of the Ladakh players were playing under the Ladakh Women's Ice Hockey Foundation (LWIHF) banner, and we won that match 7\u20133. We have kept the same spirit, and we hope to do well at the KIWG 2026 final as well,\u201d said Tashi Dolkar, captain of ITBP.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
FRIDAY\u2019S RESULTS<\/p>\r\n\r\n
ICE HOCKEY (updated till 7 PM):<\/p>\r\n\r\n
(Women\u2019s semis) Ladakh beat Himachal Pradesh 14-0; ITBP beat Chandigarh 10-1.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
ICE HOCKEY (updated till 7 PM):<\/p>\r\n\r\n
For KIWG 2026 medal tally:<\/p>\r\n\r\n