LEH: The Lt Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, today reaffirmed the UT Administration’s unwavering commitment to nurturing young talent and promoting sustainable development.
He underlined that Ladakh is emerging as a model region where youth empowerment goes hand in hand with ecological responsibility.
The Lt Governor was addressing the grand finale of the Climate Cup Football Tournament 2025 at Leh Football Stadium, organised by the Department of Youth Services & Sports, UT Ladakh, and the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh, in collaboration with the Ladakh Football Association and PowerGrid.
In a thrilling final match, Sudeva Delhi FC clinched the title by defeating Rajasthan FC in a penalty shootout after the game ended 1-1 in regulation time. The winning team was awarded the wooden-made Climate Cup trophy and a cheque of ₹2.5 lakhs, while Rajasthan FC received the runners-up trophy and ₹1.5 lakhs.
Highlighting the significance of sports, Gupta said that “sports not only foster discipline, teamwork, and leadership, but also instill a sense of social and environmental responsibility.” He urged the youth of Ladakh to actively contribute to nation-building while keeping ecological balance at the core of their aspirations.
Stressing the urgency of climate action, the Lt Governor reminded that Ladakh’s fragile ecosystem stands at the frontline of global environmental challenges. He called upon youth and stakeholders to adopt sustainable practices, preserve natural resources, and join collective efforts to safeguard the Himalayas.
Congratulating all participating teams, Gupta lauded the Climate Cup as a symbol of youth empowerment, sporting excellence, and environmental consciousness. He reaffirmed the UT Administration’s commitment to strengthening sports infrastructure and expanding opportunities for Ladakh’s youth.
This year’s 3rd edition of the Climate Cup saw participation from nine teams, including Sudeva FC Delhi, Rajasthan FC, FIFA AIFF Odisha, Team Tibet, and five Ladakh-based teams.
Awards were also conferred on standout performers: Bharanyu Bansal (1 Ladakh FC) won the Top Scorer award, Legend (Sudeva Delhi FC) was adjudged Best Goalkeeper, while ITBP team bagged the Fair Play award.
The event was attended by First Lady. Bindu Gupta, Deputy Chairman LAHDC Leh Tsering Angchuk, Executive Councillors Ghulam Mehdi and Stanzin Chosphel, DGP Ladakh Dr. S.D. Singh Jamwal, Administrative Secretary YSS Bhanu Prabha, Joint Director YSS Tahir Hussain, along with political and religious leaders, officials, and a large gathering of sports enthusiasts.
