Day: March 20, 2020

By State Times News

The Ice Hockey Association for Jammu and Kashmir was formed on Thursday in the presence of President Dr S.M Bali and Secretary General Harjinder Singh of Ice Hockey Association of India at Circuit house, Sonwar, here.

During the meeting, the members laid the emphasis on the promotion of winter sports especially Ice Hockey in Jammu and Kashmir.

The general body also confirmed the elected members of the new unit with Dr S.M Bali as President and Ajaz Rasool Mir as General Secretary of Ice Hockey Association for Jammu and Kashmir.
The house authorised the Dr Bali to nominate rest of the office bearers and executive committee members with in a week’s time.

It was unanimously decided to host the 10th IHAI National Championship for Men at the Ice Hockey Rink in Gulmarg. Dr Bali along with Harjinder Singh, Ajaz Rasool Mir and Waseem Raja Khan visited the Rink at Gulmarg for an on the spot assessment of the facility to host the sport at National level. IHAI also decided to conduct UT level coaching camp for boys and girls prior to the national championship at Gulmarg.
Harjinder also shared the past success of Indian National Team of Ice Hockey with the house.
He stated that Indian men’s team got a silver medal in the IIHF Challenge Cup of Asia (Div -1) at Kuwait in 2017 and women’s team won a bronze in the IIHF Challenge Cup of Asia ( Div-1) at Abu Dhabi in 2019.
With the focus of the Government of India on winter sports through 1st Khelo India Winter Games Meet recently held at Gulmarg, Singh laid emphasis on competent management for developing the sport and felt that the new body will deliver to their expectations.

The 10th Nationals at Gulmarg in 2021 would give right impetus to develop this Winter Olympic Sport in the region and also give a spurt to Sports tourism in the Region, he said.
He thanked Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, for initiating Khelo India Winter Games.

Ice Hockey Association of India is a full member of International Ice Hockey Federation and also Indian Olympic Association.

By Nepal Flash

Nepal Ice Hockey Association has proposed cooperation with Japan for the development of ice hockey  in Nepal. The general secretary of the association Ganesh Rimal proposed this before the Japan Ice Hockey Association in connection with his visit to Japan. Cooperation between Nepal-Japan Ice Hockey Association was discussed with Kumiharu Kitagawa, Chairman of the International Committee of the Ice Hockey Association, Marita of the International Committee and officials of the Japan Ice Hockey Association.

On that occasion the importance of development of ice hockey game and training of Nepali players was given importance. Assistance for the construction of Ice Rink in Nepal and official visit of Nepal and Japan to officials and players of the two countries was discussed, according to Nepal Ice Hockey Association.

During the discussion, the Chairman of the International Committee of the Japan Ice Hockey Association said that the Japan Ice Hockey Association is ready to provide all kinds of assistance for the development of ice hockey in Nepal. Speaking on the occasion, Secretary General of the Nepal Ice Hockey Association, Rimal, said that Nepal has a natural rhythm for the Ice Hockey game and that its development can be expanded to support tourism.

Secretary General Rimal is on a trip to Japan.