Inside Ladakh Festival 2026: Women’s Polo Takes Centre Stage | WION Wings

High in the Himalayas, Ladakh is known for its mountains, monasteries and dramatic landscapes. But the region also has a rich cultural and sporting heritage. At the Ladakh Festival 2026, one of those traditions entered a new chapter. For the first time, a Ladakh women’s polo team was introduced during the festival, bringing women riders onto the field in a sport with deep roots in the region. The three-day Ladakh Festival, held in Leh from September 26 to 28, brought together folk dances, traditional music, village groups and performers from across the region and beyond. But at the Shagaran Polo Ground in Chuchot, attention turned to the polo field. The Animal Husbandry team faced Shayok Polo Club in a 30-minute exhibition match, with Animal Husbandry winning 5-3.
Women players said they hoped the opportunity would help women’s polo grow in Ladakh and eventually allow them to represent the region and India at a higher level. Tourism and culture officials are also looking at improving polo infrastructure, organising more matches and developing regular training through a proposed academy and centre of excellence. For spectators, seeing women riders take part in one of Ladakh’s traditional sports carried its own significance. The Ladakh Festival has long been a showcase of the region’s music, dance and community traditions. In 2026, the polo ground added something new: a group of women stepping into a sport that has been part of Ladakh’s identity for generations. And for Ladakh’s women riders, this may only be the beginning.

#Ladakh #LadakhFestival #WomensPolo #LadakhTourism #IndiaTravel

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