Says “Khelo India editions have boosted the Ladakh sports”
Leh : With international exposure and over four decades of experience, coach Abbas Nordakh is playing a central role in shaping Ladakh’s winter sports ecosystem, as the region witnesses a surge in participation and performance in ice sports, including Khelo India editions.
With over 45 years of experience in competitive sports and coaching, Nordakh has represented India at several national and international ice-skating events.
A veteran sportsman, he has also won multiple national medals in archery, shooting, and ice hockey.
After completing professional coaching certification in Finland and advanced training in ice skating in Singapore and the United States, he returned to Leh to train young athletes and strengthen winter sports development in the region.
Over the past five years, Nordakh has trained more than 100 athletes, many of whom have qualified for national-level competitions, including the Khelo India Games.
His primary focus has been on ice skating, while he has also contributed to broader winter sports development through local associations linked to ice hockey and skating.
Athletes from Ladakh trained under his guidance have represented India at international tournaments such as the C Trophy and Asian Trophy.
Last year, Nordakh also served as a coach in India’s contingent at the Asian Winter Games in China, marking a major milestone for Ladakh’s growing presence in global winter sports.
In an Interview, he said the expansion of winter sports in Ladakh has been closely linked with the Khelo India Winter Games, which are being hosted in Leh for the third time.
“The event has provided a competitive platform for local athletes and accelerated the development of sports infrastructure in the region,” he said.
Nordakh further said that Ladakh’s ability to host ice events over successive editions of Khelo India reflects steady progress in facilities and organisational capacity.
“Earlier, athletes in Ladakh could train on natural ice for barely two months a year due to climatic constraints. However, the development of modern facilities, including artificial ice rinks, has extended the training season to almost year-round, significantly improving preparation levels,” he added.
Nordakh said that the inauguration of new ice rink infrastructure under the Khelo India framework has strengthened Ladakh’s capacity to train athletes continuously.
“Since Ladakh became a Union Territory, government support for winter sports infrastructure has increased. Several projects aimed at creating world-class facilities are underway to nurture emerging talent and expand India’s winter sports base,” he added.
He said these developments have transformed Ladakh into a hub for winter sports, offering new opportunities for young athletes who earlier lacked access to professional training and facilities.
“Over the past five years, Ladakh’s ice skating teams have shown rapid progress, winning medals at national competitions and producing athletes who have represented India at international tournaments,” he said.
Nordakh said that several players have secured gold medals at national events, while others have competed in global championships, highlighting the region’s growing competitiveness in winter sports.
He said early talent identification and sustained training are crucial for long-term success. Children as young as five years are being introduced to ice skating and other winter sports to build a strong pipeline of athletes for future competitions.
The certified International coach also highlighted the role of Khelo India in providing structured opportunities for young athletes to showcase their talent.
Nordakh said his long-term objective is to prepare athletes from Ladakh for the Olympics and Youth Olympics. Efforts are underway to groom young players for the Youth Olympic Games scheduled to be held in Italy,” he added.
He said Ladakh is steadily strengthening its position in India’s winter sports landscape.
“Our success in ice sports underscores a broader shift in the country’s approach to winter sports development, with Ladakh emerging as a key centre for nurturing future champions,” he added,
