Khelo India Winter Games 2026: Too Young to Compete, Old Enough to Learn - 13-year-old Stanzin Famo in Leh

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Leh, Jan 21: Though she didn't get a chance to participate in this year's competition due to being underage, that didn't stop Stanzin Famo from travelling to Leh to watch, observe, and learn.

At just 13, the young figure skater from Ulang, a remote village in Zanskar - some 275 kilo meters from Leh - stood rinkside at the ongoing Khelo India Winter Games 2026, studying seniors with an intensity that revealed a maturity far beyond her years. She was keenly watching the players in the rink, and even ran up to them and gave the girls a hug once they completed their performance.

Listening to her speak, it becomes evident that this composure is not accidental. It mirrors the mental resilience children in this part of the country develop while navigating daily hardships and an unforgiving environment.

In remote regions like Ladakh, nothing comes easy-access, opportunities, and resources are all hard-earned, shaping a mindset that values patience and perseverance from an early age.

Equally significant is the influence of her coach, Natalie, a trained ice skater from the United States who has made India her second home and now mentors both the national ice-skating team and young athletes at the Ladakh Ice Skating Association (LISA).

A Missed Opportunity That Became a Lesson

Stanzin missed competing at the Khelo India Winter Games 2026 by a margin of just 15 days, falling short of the minimum age requirement. Rather than disappointment, she chose presence. While speaking to myKhel, she said calmly, "I was 15 days younger, so I couldn't participate." "But I came to watch."

That simple decision, to show up even when she couldn't compete, says a lot about her mindset.

Born and raised in the remote Zanskar region of Ladakh, Stanzin first stepped onto the ice in 2020. What began as curiosity soon turned into commitment, largely due to one moment of inspiration.

Inspired by a Spin

"I got inspired by my coach, Natalie ma'am," she recalls.
"When I saw her for the first time, she was spinning very well. I asked her if she could teach me ice skating. She said yes." That, for the 8-year-old, was the beginning.

Natalie had come to Zanskar to teach ice skating, and Stanzin became her first student. Language was initially a barrier: Natalie spoke in English, while Stanzin communicated in Hindi, but effort bridged the gap. Over time, skating also became a classroom.

"I have learnt English from ma'am (Natalie)," Stanzin says with quiet pride.

Learning the Mind Before the Body

While watching senior skaters at Khelo India Winter Games 2026, Stanzin wasn't just focusing on jumps and spins. She was observing fear, confidence, and mental strength.

"I learnt that you should never be afraid of anyone," she says firmly. "We should not say that we cannot do it. We should say that we can do it."

She noticed how some athletes hesitated, doubted themselves, or focused too much on opponents.

"We should not pay attention to our opponents," she explains. "We should pay attention to our sport."

These are not rehearsed lines. They are lessons internalised-likely shaped by Natalie's emphasis on goal-setting and mental clarity.

"She tells us not to listen to what people say," Stanzin explains. "She says we should make our own goals in our mind."

Training on Frozen Ground, Dreaming on Ice

Back home in Zanskar, Stanzin trains at Moskit Chumik, where her village has a natural ice rink. She practises with four other skaters, but the journey hasn't always been smooth.

"In the beginning, we didn't do solo dance. We skated in a group," she says.

Despite limited facilities, she has already represented India at the national level, travelling to Delhi and Dehradun, journeys made possible largely by family support.

Her father serves in the Indian Army, stationed at the Siachen Glacier, and she meets him only three to four times a year.

"When I meet my father, he tells me to play well," she says, smiling. "He says, if you play well, I will get you whatever you want."

Most of her daily life is spent with her mother, who has been a pillar of support through travel, training, and expenses.

The Reality of Cost and Commitment

Competition travel is not easy. When she leaves home, Stanzin knows she must be independent. "In competition, there is no family. We have to arrange everything ourselves," she says matter-of-factly. "In Dehradun, we go with our team. We book hotels. We have to pay for everything."

Support from the system is still unclear to her. "I don't know how to get support," she admits. "We leave many camps because we don't have that much budget."

Why Khelo India Winter Games Matter

For athletes like Stanzin, the impact of Khelo India goes far beyond medals. "The ice rink in Ladakh means we don't have to go far," she explains. "Earlier, we could play only for two weeks."

The introduction of an artificial ice rink in Leh has changed that reality. "If we make artificial ice, we can practise for the whole year," she says. "That's why I'm very happy."

It is a simple statement-but one that captures how infrastructure can reshape dreams in remote regions like Ladakh.

Eyes on the Olympics, Feet on the Ice

Stanzin is currently studying in Class 8, walking to a small school with around 67-68 students. Her ambitions, however, stretch far beyond the classroom.

"I want to perform at the International and Olympic Games," she says without hesitation. "I want to represent India. I want to take UT Ladakh to the next level."

She understands that opportunity exists-but only if belief, support, and systems align.

At 13, she may not yet be competing at Khelo India Winter Games 2026. But by choosing to watch, learn, and absorb, Stanzin Famo is already preparing herself for moments much bigger than the present.

In the quiet confidence of her words, and the discipline of her thinking, one can already see the making of an athlete who understands that medals come later-but mindset comes first.