By Shehnaz Qasimi

The Youth Congress President of Kargil, Manzoor Hussain, along with the Youth Congress President of Barsoo, Mohd Habib, and Zonal Vice President of Kargil, congratulated Team India on their remarkable victory over Macau in ice hockey. However, they expressed deep concern over the challenges faced by 23 ice hockey players who traveled to Harbin, China, to participate in the 9th Asian Winter Games.

According to reports from social media and an official letter, expenses are being covered for only 15 players, while the remaining 8 players and one official from Ladakh are not receiving any financial support. The Youth Congress leaders urged the UT Ladakh administration and the Government of India to take immediate action to cover the expenses for these players and ensure their safe return home. They emphasized that supporting these athletes is essential to boost their morale and encourage future sports participation.

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The leaders also highlighted issues with the selection process managed by the Ice Hockey Association of India. Traditionally, a selection event is held annually in Ladakh, but for the past two years, it was not conducted due to poor communication between sports officials. This year, the selection event took place in Himachal Pradesh, where many players from Ladakh were selected. Despite facing challenges like harsh winters and limited practice opportunities, these players showcased exceptional talent. However, they are now struggling with financial difficulties abroad.

The Youth Congress leaders called for better support and communication from sports authorities to prevent such issues in the future. They stressed the importance of proper planning and coordination to ensure that athletes representing the nation are not left in challenging situations.