Skarma Rinchen's Story: How Ice Hockey Changed This Ladakhi Village Girl's Life
From a semi-nomadic village to playing for the Indian national, Skarma Rinchen is a classic case demonstrating the transformative power of sport.
Leh: Skarma Rinchen's hockey journey is truly inspiring and shows the transformative power of determination and hard work. Hailing from Gya Meru, a semi-nomadic village in Ladakh, it adds a unique dimension to the 20-year-old's story, given Ladakh's challenging terrain and harsh winters.
In 2017, Skarma saw a skating boot for the first time during an ice hockey practice in her village, but had difficulty even getting on the skates. The following year, with some improvement, she developed a growing interest despite limited practice opportunities.
Attending a 15-day workshop in Leh organized by the Women's Association changed her story. There, Skarma Rinchen met girls from the Indian national ice hockey team and regularly attended their practices and eventually had the opportunity to train alongside them. In 2023, Skarma, a left winger, will be a national team player himself.
While contributing to Ladakh's contribution to the national team, Skarma was part of the Maryul Spamo Leh squad that won the gold medal in the Royal Enfield Ice Hockey League, a championship organized by UT in January this year administration has started to tap the base in Ladakh. .
Skarma was part of the Ladakh women's team that won silver at the 2024 National Ice Hockey Championships in Kaza (Himachal Pradesh). Her first international debut came at the 2023 IIHF Women's Asia and Oceania Championship in Thailand.
It was not a happy debut for Skarma as India lost to Iran, but for the young Ladakhi village girl it was a moment to savor. “I was nervous about my first international match. An artificial ice rink was something I never knew existed because I had only seen a natural ice rink. When I stepped onto the field, the tall girls and their equipment seemed intimidating. It was overwhelming, but we managed to reach the semi-finals.”
After losing to Iran, Indian women defeated Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Malaysia. India lost to Thailand in the semi-final. Thailand eventually won the gold by beating Iran in the final.
Skarma hopes to convey a message of resilience and determination, especially for girls facing challenges, as “ice hockey is a physically challenging game and girls in particular tend to give up quickly when they get hurt. Believing in oneself and working hard is the key to mastering a game like this.”
Skarma's journey, from struggling on the skates in 2017 to making the national ice hockey team in 2023, underscores the rewards of perseverance.
Skarma recognizes the importance of the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) as the fourth edition welcomes women's teams for the first time. She says she is “excited to compete on my home turf. I believe this event will break barriers at the national level and create more opportunities for female athletes across the country.”
Skarma views ice hockey as more than just a game and recognizes its transformative impact. It initially became an escape during slow winters, offering physical activity before eventually becoming an opportunity to see the world. Her participation, nationally and internationally, was the dream that was not possible without ice hockey.
In addition to her personal achievements, Skarma hopes that professional ice hockey will provide more employment opportunities, highlighting the potential socio-economic benefits for girls from remote villages in Ladakh.
In essence, Skarma Rinchen's story encapsulates the transformative power of sport and the resilience required to overcome challenges, and serves as an inspiration for aspiring athletes, especially girls in remote villages of Ladakh and beyond.