Leh, Jan 24 : The fourth National Ice Hockey Championship kicked off at the famous Karzoo ice hockey ring in the snow capped areas of Leh today.

The championship organised jointly by the Indian Ice Hockey Association and Ladakh Winter Sports Club to popularise the sport, attracted seven teams from across the region.

Tsering Dorjey, Chief Executive Officer of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, was the chief guest of the event.

Appreciating the Sports Ministry, General Secretary of Ice Hockey Association of India, Akshay Kumar said, "Ice Hockey Association of India has been struggling for four years to get a recognition from the Sports ministry of India. But now our honorable Sports Minister, M S Gill has recognised ice hockey in special category under the sports body, and has also given money to organise this event,"

Noani P. Wangchuck, President of the Ladakh Winter Sports Club informed that the championship will continue for one week and the closing ceremony will take place on 28th January.

The mountainous region of Ladakh is among the rare places which has the country''s highest ice-skating ring at 3483 meters above sea level.

Tourism is the mainstay of the economy of Ladakh region and winter games are being promoted to help boost tourism in the picturesque region. (ANI)