The 2025 Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China, have proven to be a landmark event for India. On Sunday, February 11, the Indian men’s ice hockey team registered a historic first-ever victory at the Games, defeating Macao, China, 4-2 at the Harbin Ice Hockey Arena.

This victory comes after a challenging start for the debutant team, which suffered heavy defeats against Hong Kong, China (0-30) and Turkmenistan (1-19). However, the squad bounced back with resilience, making a bold statement on the ice.

The Heroes of the Game

India's triumph was powered by goals from Tsering Angdus, Tsering Angchuk, Mohd. Ismail, and Mohammad Ali Baba. Their precise shots and determination sealed the historic win. On the opposing side, Macao, China’s Edison Pak Hei Sou managed to score twice but couldn't stop India from claiming the victory. With this result, India now stands in third place in Group C, accumulating three crucial points. 

A Grand Stage for Winter Sports

The 2025 edition of the Asian Winter Games is the biggest in its history, featuring 34 countries competing across 64 events in 11 sports disciplines. Returning to Harbin after nearly three decades, the Games officially kicked off on February 7 and will conclude on February 14. India, participating with its largest-ever contingent, is competing in six different sports disciplines, hoping to gain valuable experience and break new ground in winter sports.

The Rise of Winter Sports in India

India’s presence at the Winter Asian Games is backed by the government’s Khelo India initiative, which promotes sports at the grassroots level. This has given a significant boost to winter sports, particularly ice hockey, ice skating, and skiing. Just before the Harbin Games, India hosted the first phase of the Khelo India Winter Games in Ladakh from January 23-27, featuring ice hockey and ice skating. The second phase is scheduled to take place in Jammu and Kashmir from February 22-25, with events in alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, ski mountaineering, and snowboarding.

Though India is yet to win a medal at the Winter Asian Games, this historic victory is a sign of progress and growing competitiveness. With increased exposure, government support, and a passionate sporting community, the future of winter sports in India looks promising. As the Games continue, India’s athletes will aim to build on this momentum and push for greater achievements on the global winter sports stage.