Blurb
India’s rising ice hockey stars compete at the 2026 U18 Asia Cup in Kyrgyzstan, fueled by recent historic achievements and a growing national league.
Kyrgyzstan
The next generation of Indian winter athletes has arrived in Bishkek for the 2026 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 Asia Cup. Set to run from April 27 to May 3, the tournament will see the young Indian squad battle against regional rivals including Mongolia, Uzbekistan, and hosts Kyrgyzstan. This trip represents a major step forward for the sport in India, which has seen a massive surge in popularity over the last year.
Led by captain Gurtej Singh Bhatti, the team features a strong core of players from Ladakh and Chandigarh, alongside talent from across the nation. Their arrival comes at a time of historic momentum. Just last year, the Indian women’s team captured the country’s first ever international medal in the sport, a bronze at the 2025 Asia Cup. Following that success, the sport gained national fame, with the team even appearing on the popular show Kaun Banega Crorepati.
The growth of the game is also visible back home. The reopening of the Himadri Ice Rink in Dehradun and the successful launch of the India Ice Hockey League have provided players with better training and more competition. Harjinder Singh, General Secretary of the Ice Hockey Association of India, noted that having players from multiple states proves the game is expanding beyond its traditional mountain roots.
With local real estate developer SS Group backing the team, the U18 boys are ready to leave their mark. As they hit the ice this week, they carry the hopes of a nation eager to prove that India can be a contender even in winter sports.
