LEH: National ice speed skating coach Mohd Abbass Nordakh from Ladakh is representing Team India at the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA)–International Skating Union (ISU) Asian Short Track Speed Skating Youth Camp in Harbin, China, where coaches and athletes from across the continent have assembled for an advanced technical training programme.
The camp has brought together leading short track speed skating coaches and emerging athletes from Asian countries with the objective of strengthening coaching standards, refining technical skills and promoting athlete development through international collaboration.
As part of the elite coaching programme, Nordakh is undergoing specialised training and exchanging technical expertise with internationally acclaimed short track coaches, including five-time Olympic coach Jae Su Chun, who has guided several national teams between 2006 and 2026, Olympic coach Liam, and an Olympic medal-winning coach.
His participation places an Indian coach alongside some of the sport’s most experienced international mentors, reflecting the expanding presence of Indian, particularly Ladakhi, ice speed skating in global training and development initiatives.
Officials associated with the programme said the exposure to contemporary coaching methods, high-performance training systems and international best practices is expected to strengthen India’s coaching ecosystem while creating new opportunities for young speed skaters from Ladakh.
The knowledge and experience acquired during the Harbin camp are expected to support the preparation of Indian athletes for major international events, including the 2028 Winter Youth Olympic Games, the 2029 Asian Winter Games and the 2030 Winter Olympic Games.
Ladakh has emerged as one of India’s principal centres for ice speed skating owing to its natural winter conditions and expanding pool of athletes. The participation of a coach from the region in an Olympic-level development programme is expected to contribute to the long-term growth of the discipline and enhance the competitive readiness of young skaters for international competition.
