Royal Enfield Unveils Fourth Season of Himalayan Ice Hockey Initiative
Royal Enfield Launches Season 4 of Himalayan Ice Hockey Program
On November 4, 2026, Royal Enfield announced the commencement of the fourth season of its Ice Hockey development program in the Himalayas. This initiative aims to enhance local skills through extensive training for players, coaches, and officials. The season will kick off with a unique Goaltender Training Program scheduled from November 9-13, 2026, at the Nawang Dorjay Stobdan (NDS) Stadium in Leh. The training calendar will also include sessions for coaches, referees, and players in Leh, Dehradun, and Gurugram, facilitated by internationally recognized instructors.
Strengthening Grassroots Expertise
The program seeks to nurture talent from Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, thereby reinforcing the foundational skills necessary for sustaining winter sports in the region. This effort precedes the upcoming Royal Enfield Ice Hockey League (REIHL) and the Spiti Cup, both set to take place in January-February 2027. The season will introduce specialized training aimed at enhancing local capabilities and competitive standards. Notably, Matt Darlow, an international goaltending coach, will lead the new Goaltender program, focusing on training goalies from Ladakh and Spiti.
Training and Capacity Building
Structured development programs will encompass coaching and player training to foster long-term coaching capabilities. Referee training will be conducted by Peter Gebei, an IIHF-certified ice hockey professional with over 40 years of experience. Bidisha Dey, Executive Director of the Eicher Group Foundation, emphasized the importance of community ownership in ice hockey, stating, "Our mission is to empower local communities to sustain the sport independently. This season, we aim to enhance local expertise, equipping players, coaches, and officials with world-class skills, paving the way for India's future in global winter sports."
Upcoming Leagues and Community Engagement
The grassroots 'Learn to Play' training will occur from December 2026 to February 2027, leading up to India's highest-altitude tournaments: the Royal Enfield Ice Hockey League (REIHL) in Leh and the Spiti Cup in Kaza. Both leagues, now in their fourth year of collaboration with Royal Enfield, are organized in partnership with local administrations and ice hockey associations. The REIHL has become a vital platform for emerging talent, while the Spiti Cup promotes grassroots engagement in remote villages.
Himalayan Community Festivals
Royal Enfield's outreach extends beyond the rink, with the third edition of 'Journeying Across the Himalayas' scheduled for December 3-9, 2026, at Travancore Palace, New Delhi. This community festival will celebrate Himalayan stories and include an ice hockey experience, allowing visitors to engage with the sport and understand its cultural significance.
Review of Previous Season Achievements
The 2026 Royal Enfield Ice Hockey League and Spiti Cup featured competitions for both men and women, with the Spiti Cup also including an Under-18 Boys category. Teams from various regions participated, including Leh, Nubra, and Kargil. The REIHL had 11 men's and five women's teams, with Kharu participating for the first time. The Humas Warriors and Sham Eagles secured the men's and women's titles in the REIHL, respectively, while the Centre Zone won both titles in the Spiti Cup, with Sham Zone taking the Under-18 title.