Honouring Champions: Ice Stock Athletes Felicitated in Agra with Sarvesh Goel’s Visionary Presence
Honouring Ice Stock Excellence: A Celebration of Spirit, Grit, and Glory
Agra, India – In an inspiring gesture that blends honour with hope, the Uttar Pradesh Ice Stock Association hosted a felicitation ceremony on Sunday at a renowned hotel in Pratappura, Agra, celebrating the remarkable achievements of four distinguished Ice Stock athletes. The event turned into a powerful testament to the rising stature of this lesser-known winter sport in India and the bright potential it holds.
The honoured athletes—Manjot, Aariz Hasan, Wasim Khan, and Tanisha Karshap—were recognized for their stellar performances on both national and international stages. Manjot brought pride to the nation by securing a bronze medal at the World Championship, while Aariz Hasan clinched gold at the first Asian Championship. Wasim Khan and Tanisha Karshap earned accolades by securing bronze medals at the 11th National Championship, showcasing the strength and consistency of Indian athletes in this sport.
The ceremony was graced by several dignitaries, including Mr. Sarvesh Goel, a visionary entrepreneur, educationist, and Chairman of the Mansingh Goel Group. Also present were Chairman Sayyed Rifat Juber Rizvi, Secretary Dr. Kiran Karshap, Vice President Vinay Bansal, Treasurer Rajneesh Singh, and Regional Sports Officer Sanjay Sharma, who collectively extended their congratulations to the athletes.
Sarvesh Goel, whose unwavering dedication to holistic growth spans sectors like education, wellness, and sport, praised the athletes and emphasized the importance of nurturing alternative sports in India. As someone who has launched initiatives like the Lucknow Run and established the prestigious GD Goenka Schools in Lucknow, his words echoed deep belief in the power of sports to transform society.
“Ice Stock is a sport built on precision, discipline, and strategy. These are the same qualities that shape great leaders and responsible citizens,” Goel remarked during his speech. “It is not just a game—it is a mindset.”
Ice Stock, a sport often compared to curling, involves sliding a 3.5–4 kg disc (stock) across ice or similar surfaces, aiming at a designated target. It is both a competitive and recreational sport that emphasizes accuracy over aggression. Goel underlined the sport’s inclusive nature, highlighting that it can be played in both urban rinks and rural terrains—making it a bridge between communities.
The ceremony was more than an award function—it was a celebration of perseverance and a clarion call to support emerging athletes. Under Goel’s insightful leadership, there’s a growing drive to diversify India’s sporting culture and bring underrepresented sports like Ice Stock to the mainstream.
In closing, the event marked not only a moment of recognition for the athletes but also a reminder that behind every medal is a journey of dedication—and behind every journey, there must be a system of support. With leaders like Sarvesh Goel at the helm, India’s sporting future looks not just brighter but more inclusive and diverse than ever before.