Referee Training Programme Kicks Off in New Delhi Under Royal Enfield Ice Hockey Season 3

The third edition of the Royal Enfield Ice Hockey Season 2025-26 took a significant step forward on Monday as the Referee Training Programme commenced at ISKATE by Roseate in New Delhi. Running from December 1 to 5, the five-day intensive session brings together more than 20 officials from Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand for hands-on training that builds on four previously completed virtual modules. This structured, season-long Referee Development Programme marks the second major on-ground capacity-building initiative of the year, aimed at professionalising officiating standards in India’s high-altitude ice hockey ecosystem.

Organised under the aegis of the Ice Hockey Association of India and supported by Royal Enfield’s long-term partnership, the programme focuses on rule interpretation, positioning, game management, and conflict resolution in the fast-paced winter sport. Participants, many of whom officiate in extreme conditions at natural rinks above 12,000 feet, are undergoing drills on skating mechanics, whistle discipline, and live-scenario simulations inside the capital’s only Olympic-size indoor rink. The curriculum also emphasises gender inclusivity, with women officials from Leh and Kargil among the trainees.

Since Royal Enfield began backing Himalayan ice hockey in 2022, the initiative has expanded from grassroots tournaments to systematic talent and technical development. Over 1,200 players and 80 officials have benefited so far, with previous seasons introducing women’s leagues and interstate championships. The current referee cohort will graduate on December 5 and immediately deploy to upcoming tournaments in Ladakh and Himachal, ensuring higher consistency and safety in matches played under challenging sub-zero conditions.

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The training coincides with preparations for the flagship Royal Enfield Ice Hockey League scheduled for January-February 2026 across Leh, Kargil, and Spiti. By investing in referees alongside players and infrastructure, the programme is quietly building a sustainable ecosystem for a sport that remains a winter lifeline for mountain communities.

As the trainees lace up inside the climate-controlled arena overlooking Delhi’s skyline, the contrast with the frozen ponds they will soon police is stark—yet the goal remains the same: elevating ice hockey from a passionate regional pastime to a professionally governed discipline on the national map.

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