Mohd Abbass Nordakh selected to Mentor Team India at Asian Youth Camp in Harbin

LEH: National coach Mohd Abbass Nordakh from Ladakh has been selected by the Ice Skating Association of India (ISAI) to represent the country as Team India Coach at the Asian Short Track Speed Skating Youth Camp and Competition, scheduled to be held in Harbin, China, from July 19 to 27.

Nordakh will mentor India’s junior speed skaters, Aarav Patwardhan and Swaroopa Deshmukh of Pune, during the continental event, which is designed to identify and nurture emerging talent in short track speed skating through advanced coaching, technical training and international competition.

Organised jointly by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), the Asian Skating Union (ASU) and the International Skating Union (ISU), the camp is regarded as one of Asia’s foremost developmental platforms for young speed skaters. It also serves as a preparatory pathway for future international events, including the 2028 Winter Youth Olympic Games in Italy, the 2029 Asian Winter Games in Kazakhstan and the 2030 Winter Olympic Games in the French Alps.

Nordakh’s selection marks another milestone for Ladakh’s growing presence in winter sports. According to the Ladakh Ice Skating Association (LISA), he is the first national coach from the Union Territory to be entrusted with coaching Team India at the Asian Youth Camp and Competition, underlining the region’s expanding contribution to India’s ice skating ecosystem.

The appointment also builds on Nordakh’s international coaching credentials. He represented India as Team India Coach at the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin in 2025 and earlier represented the country at the Asian Short Track Speed Skating Championships in Taiwan in 2005 and the ISU World Junior Short Track Speed Skating Championships in Miercurea Ciuc, Romania, in 2006.

Officials of the Ladakh Ice Skating Association said the selection reflects Nordakh’s sustained commitment to the development of ice speed skating in the country and recognises his contribution to nurturing young talent through coaching and technical expertise.

The association extended its congratulations to Nordakh and wished the Indian contingent success at the Harbin event, expressing confidence that his experience would strengthen India’s campaign while inspiring aspiring winter sports athletes from Ladakh.