kaza ,jan 23
The Spiti Cup season three is set to return from February 7-11, reaffirming its role as a cornerstone grassroots winter sports initiative in the Himalayas, according to a release.Held during the region’s harsh winter, the tournament brings together remote villages, transforming frozen landscapes into shared arenas of participation, pride, and collective resilience. With Ice hockey gaining momentum across Spiti and neighbouring valleys, the 2026 edition marks a significant step forward in scale and structure. The tournament expands to 22 games, up from 18 last season, featuring teams from five zones–Centre, Tod, Sham, Pin, and Lahaul–across Senior Men, Women, and U-18 Boys categories.Organised in collaboration with the Ice Hockey Association of Lahaul and Spiti (IHALS), supported by Royal Enfield Social Mission, and held in partnership with the Spiti Administration, the Spiti Cup functions as a community-owned developmental competition.Beyond the games, it brings together players, families, volunteers, and supporters, reinforcing unity and shared identity in one of the country’s most challenging environments. The 2026 edition will be played in a league format, with each team competing against every other team in its respective category.The team at the top of the points table at the end of the league stage will be crowned champion. The five-day tournament will feature 10 games in the Senior Men’s category and six games each in the Women’s and U-18 Boys categories. At the grassroots level, the Spiti Cup is anchored in a strong community-based structure. The pathway begins with 12 village- and cluster-level clubs, where players train for nearly a month during winter. These clubs come together to form zonal teams that ultimately compete in Kaza.The tournament also serves as the competitive culmination of a season-long capacity-building effort.In the lead-up to the Cup, coaches from across the region underwent holistic training led by international instructor Darryl Easson, focusing on technical skills, player development and game management. These coaches have since returned to their respective communities to scout talent and systematically prepare teams.In the month preceding the tournament, over 500 children and youth participate in structured Ice hockey training across villages and zones. These sessions are led by locally based coaches trained through formal programmes, ensuring consistent high-quality instruction.
