Leh (Ladakh), Jan. 21(UNI): Before becoming a well-known name in Indian women's ice hockey, Padma Chorol's sporting journey began on the speed skating tracks of Ladakh. In a region where opportunities for girls were limited and facilities almost non-existent, Padma became trailblazer in course of her decade- old career on ice.
Sport ran in the family. Padma's brothers- Nawang Stupdan and Tainang Dorge (an Army ice skating player)- played a decisive role in her journey, which began when she was just 10 years old. Their constant encouragement pushed Padma towards competitive ice hockey at a time when girls were rarely seen on such a surface.
Recalling those early days, Padma told SAI Media, "They always motivated me to come into ice hockey. They persuaded me to train more, to compete, and to believe in myself. They wanted me to make a name for myself in this sport."