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Ice Hockey Championship begins in Leh

     Leh (Jammu and Kashmir): The first 'Chief Executive Councillor Ice Hockey Championship' to popularise the sport in snow-capped areas started at Karzoo ice hockey rink here. A total of seven teams from across the region are participating in the event. The championship is jointly organised by the District Youth Services Department and Ladakh Winter Sports Club. P. T. Kunzang, Joint Secretary of the Ladakh Winter Sports Club, Leh said that he hoped the event would be a success and help in further popularising the sport in the region. "This year only seven teams are participating. But, we hope that from next year onwards this championship will gain popularity with more teams participating," he said. The mountainous regions of Ladakh are among the rare places which have a natural formation of ice houses is possibly the country's highest ice-skating rink at 3483 meters above sea level. Tourism is the mainstay of the economy of Ladakh region with its headquarters in Leh. Winter games are being promoted to help boost tourism in the picturesque region. The Jammu and Kashmir Government has spent nearly rupees 45 million to build infrastructure in the region.
-January 12,  2008