Daughter of the Snow: Samina Khatoon’s Rise as a Hope for Women’s Ice Hockey in Kargil
By Mohammad Hassanain Ebadie
The final match of the Khelo India Winter Games, between Team UT Ladakh and ITBP was intense and full of suspense. During the first period, both teams defended strongly and no goal was scored. That special moment arrived in the second period, with just 2 minutes and 52 seconds left, Samina Khatoon fired a powerful shot and scored. As the puck hit the net, the arena burst into loud cheers and applause. Spectators stood up, clapped, and shouted with joy, celebrating the goal with great excitement. Her strike not only gave Team UT Ladakh the lead but also filled the crowd with pride and emotion. For a few moments, the entire arena echoed with happiness, and Samina became the centre of hope and celebration for everyone watching.
Samina Khatoon stood out as the hero of the final match at the Khelo India Winter Games 2026, becoming a strong source of hope for Team UT Ladakh and a moment of pride for the spectators. In the freezing arena, the 16-year-old from Trespone, Kargil played with fearless energy and confidence. Every time she moved forward with the puck, the crowd watched with excitement, clapping and calling out in support. Her presence on the ice lifted the spirit of her teammates, while the spectators cheered loudly, believing she could change the game at any moment.
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In the third period, Samina kept pushing forward, trying her best to score again and strengthen her team’s lead. However, ITBP managed to bounce back and equalized with a goal, bringing the match to a tense turning point. During the extra five-minute period, she was not on the ice, and both teams fought hard with full determination. In the end, ITBP secured the win. Although the result did not go in favor of Team UT Ladakh, Samina’s performance remained one of the most memorable highlights of the match. Her effort, courage, and fighting spirit brought pride and recognition to UT Ladakh and left a strong impression on everyone who watched her play. Samina Khatoon, is slowly becoming one of the most promising young talents in the region’s growing winter sports culture. Currently studying in Class 10th, she has shown deep passion, dedication, and commitment towards the sport despite facing many hardships along the way.
Her introduction to ice hockey was simple and unexpected. Her parents had once bought a pair of skates for her brother, but he never used them. During winter, when Samina travelled to Kargil town for tuition classes, she started using those skates. What began as a small curiosity soon turned into a strong passion and love for ice hockey. She started practicing seriously in 2019. In 2021, she played her first match in the CEC Cup Tournament, representing the Downhill Kargil team. That moment marked the real beginning of her journey as a competitive player. Since then, she has continued to work hard, practice regularly, and improve her skills step by step.
Her parents have always been her strongest support system. They never forced her to play but gave her the freedom to follow her dreams. Samina often says she has received “100 percent support” from her family. She also acknowledges the continuous encouragement and guidance from the Ladakh Women Ice Hockey Foundation, which played an important role in helping her grow and move forward in the sport. Her journey, however, has not been easy. One of the biggest challenges she faced was the absence of an ice hockey rink in her own village. For practice, she had to travel nearly 23 kilometres from Trespone to the ice rink at Bamathang in Kargil. During heavy snowfall, transport was often unavailable, making it difficult for her to return home on time. Yet, she never gave up and continued her practice with determination and discipline.
In 2024, an ice hockey rink was prepared at Tambis village, around 5 kilometres from her home. Even then, without any vehicle, she walked on foot to attend her practice sessions, showing her commitment and deep love for the sport.
In 2023 and 2024, she got her first opportunity to compete at the national level while playing for the Chandigarh team. This exposure allowed her to play alongside talented and experienced players from different states, learn new techniques, and improve her performance. Later, in 2024 and 2025, Samina proudly represented Team UT Ladakh in different national-level tournaments, where she continued to strengthen her performance and build her identity as a talented young player. She has also represented Team UT Ladakh in the Khelo India Winter Games for three consecutive years, delivering impressive performances and bringing recognition to her region.
She achieved a major milestone by winning a gold medal in the Union Cup held in the UAE. Representing at the international level and bringing home a gold medal was a proud and emotional moment for her, her family, and the entire Kargil district.
At such a young age, Samina Khatoon has already made her village and district proud. Her story reflects courage, hard work, and the power of family support. She stands as a true inspiration for many young girls in Kargil who dream of making a name in sports, proving that even from remote villages, with dedication and passion, great success can be achieved.
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