The Indian Army Ice Hockey Team has been crowned the champion of the inaugural Challengers’ Cup, defeating Leh Kings 6-5 in a thrilling finale at the Nawang Dorjay Stobdan (NDS) Stadium in Leh, Ladakh. The match showcased the best emerging talent from the Ice Hockey League, with Leh Kings matching the nation’s most accomplished ice hockey side stride for stride in a breathtaking contest.
The Indian Army Ice Hockey Team responded to an early goal from Leh Kings, with Dorjay Angchuk restoring parity and Jigmath Kunzang scoring another to take a 2-1 lead by the end of the opening period. The team stretched their advantage early in the second period, but Leh Kings battled back to draw level at 3-3, inspired by Stanzin Angchok’s two quick goals.
The match continued to ebb and flow, with the Indian Army Ice Hockey Team restoring their lead, only for Leh Kings to respond once again. The teams were locked at 4-4 going into the final period, before Leh Kings completed a remarkable turnaround just 60 seconds in, with Stanzin Angchok completing a hat-trick to put his side 5-4 ahead.
However, the title winners demonstrated the composure that has made them India’s benchmark in ice hockey, with Jigmath Kunzang levelling the contest before Padma Namgail struck the decisive winner to seal a pulsating 6-5 victory. The tournament’s individual honours reflected the quality on display, with the Indian Army Ice Hockey Team’s goalkeeper Sonam Tsetan named Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament and Leh Kings forward Tsering Angchuk earning the Best Player of the Tournament award.
The Challengers’ Cup was conceived as a competitive bridge between grassroots development and elite competition, allowing the best players emerging from the Social Mission’s developmental leagues to test themselves against India’s strongest institutional teams. The tournament brought together five teams competing in a round-robin format, with the top two advancing to the final.
The event was hosted at Leh’s newly upgraded all-season artificial ice rink, marking a major milestone for Himalayan ice hockey. The six-day event drew over 15,000 spectators, introducing competitive ice hockey to global and domestic visitors for the first time while demonstrating how modern infrastructure can expand the sport beyond its traditional winter season.
The tournament strengthens the player pathway and reflects Royal Enfield’s commitment to building a sustainable, community-led sports ecosystem across the region.
