Indian Ice Hockey Team Arrives in Kyrgyzstan for U18 Asia Cup
Indian Ice Hockey Team's Arrival in Bishkek
Photo: IANS
New Delhi, April 24: The Indian ice hockey team has landed in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, in preparation for the IIHF Ice Hockey U18 Asia Cup. This six-team tournament is set to take place from April 27 to May 3.
The team will be captained by Gurtej Singh Bhatti, with Devansh Sharma and Iftiqar Hussain serving as alternate captains. The squad boasts a strong representation from Chandigarh and Ladakh, along with players hailing from various other states across India.
For this group, Bishkek represents more than just another tournament; it is a significant challenge in the junior international arena. The U18 campaign comes at a time when Indian ice hockey is experiencing unprecedented momentum.
In 2025, the Indian women's team secured a bronze medal at the IIHF Women’s Asia Cup in Al Ain, marking the country's first international medal in ice hockey and elevating the sport's profile nationally, even featuring on the popular quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati.
Previously, the men's team earned a silver medal at the 2017 IIHF Challenge Cup of Asia Division I and recently represented India at the 2025 Asian Winter Games in Harbin. Additionally, the reopening of the Himadri Ice Rink and the establishment of the India Ice Hockey League have contributed to the sport's growth and visibility in the country.
“The past year has been monumental for Indian ice hockey. Our women's team clinched bronze 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 generated significant momentum for the sport.
"Now, the U18 boys have their chance, making this an exhilarating time for us. The inclusion of players from various states indicates the sport's expansion, and the IIHF U18 Asia Cup offers them invaluable exposure that could shape their future,” stated Harjinder Singh, General Secretary of the Ice Hockey Association of India.
For their campaign in the Asia Cup, the Delhi-NCR-based real estate firm SS Group has partnered with the Ice Hockey Association of India (IHAI) as the team prepares to compete in Bishkek. Ashok Singh Jaunapuria, MD & CEO of SS Group, remarked that this collaboration reflects the growing enthusiasm surrounding Indian ice hockey and the potential of its upcoming players.