Distinguished award

Khelo India Winter Games: There is an ice hockey revolution going on in the country to be sure, with Ladakh Scouts, a specialised mountain infantry regiment of the Indian Army, being at the forefront of it. As India celebrates its 77th Republic Day, there is no better time than this to highlight their exemplary work in the field of ice hockey.

The first leg of the sixth edition of the 2026 Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) is underway in Leh (Ladakh) with ice hockey and ice skating on display, and once again, Army, Ladakh Scouts’ representatives in the Games, are proving to be indomitable in the event. Army will play surprise entrants Chandigarh in the men’s final on Republic Day on Monday.

But actually, it’s their performance and efforts off the ice rink that matters a lot more, transcending a mere win or even a gold medal which they have won on multiple occasions in the Khelo India Winter Games. It's their desire to popularise ice hockey in India, to take it beyond the snowy, icy and mountainous Leh (Ladakh), into the plains and coasts.