New Delhi, April 24: The Indian Ice Hockey Team has arrived in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, for the IIHF Ice Hockey Under-18 Asia Cup. This tournament, featuring six teams, is scheduled to take place from April 27 to May 3.
The team will be led by Gurtej Singh Bhatti, with Devansh Sharma and Iftikhar Hussain serving as alternate captains. The squad boasts strong representation from Chandigarh and Ladakh, alongside players from various other states across the country.
For this group, Bishkek is not just another tournament stop; it represents a crucial test in the junior international circuit. The Under-18 campaign comes at a time when Indian ice hockey is advancing more robustly than ever.
In 2025, the Indian women’s team won a bronze medal at the IIHF Women’s Asia Cup in Al Ain, marking the country’s first international medal in this sport and bringing ice hockey into national conversation.
Previously, the men’s team secured a silver medal at the 2017 IIHF Challenge Cup of Asia Division I. The reopening of the Himadri Ice Rink and the launch of the India Ice Hockey League have provided new momentum for the sport’s development in the country.
Harjinder Singh, Secretary General of the Ice Hockey Association of India, stated, “Last year was pivotal for Indian ice hockey. Our women’s team won a bronze medal at the Asia Cup, the men’s team participated in the Asian Winter Games in Harbin, the Himadri Ice Rink reopened, and we launched the India Ice Hockey League. This has created a positive atmosphere around the sport.”
He added, “Now, the Under-18 boys have a chance. This is an exciting moment for us. The inclusion of players from different states shows that the sport is growing. The IIHF Under-18 Asia Cup provides them with exposure that can shape their future.”
For the Asia Cup campaign, the SS Group, a real estate developer from the Delhi-NCR region, has partnered with the IHAI as the team prepares to take the ice in Bishkek. Ashok Singh Jaunpuria, MD and CEO of SS Group, emphasized that this association reflects the growing momentum of Indian ice hockey and the promise of its next generation of players.
Arpit Soni has had a passion for journalism since the beginning. Now he has turned this hobby into his profession. Arpit, who is a resident of Udaipur, enjoys editing and writing news related to journalism. He has worked as a Senior Content Producer in several important roles at Bhaskar, Patrika, Pratahkal, Punjab Kesari, and Times. Arpit completed his schooling in Udaipur and Jaipur. He has been working in the media industry for more than 10 years, and his journey is still continuing. ✍️📚
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