National Youth Women’s Ice Hockey Championship (U18) kicks off in Harbin

On October 12, 2023, in Harbin, the opening ceremony of the 2024 National U18 Women’s Ice Hockey Championship took place at the Harbin Sports University Ice Rink. This exciting event features over a hundred athletes from five teams representing Beijing, Guangdong, Sichuan, Hebei, and Heilongjiang.

As a premier national competition for young female ice hockey players, this championship has attracted numerous talented participants from across the country. Over the course of five days, ten matches will be played in a round-robin format, with each team eagerly vying for the championship title.

During the opening ceremony, representatives of the referees and athletes made a solemn oath, pledging to compete with enthusiasm and passion.

Jiang Yuhong, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and President of Harbin Sports University, stated, “The U18 National Women’s Ice Hockey Championship is the top event for young female athletes in the country. It serves as a platform to showcase talent and exchange skills. Additionally, as a test event ahead of the Asian Winter Games, this competition provides valuable real-world experience for all participating teams.”

The inaugural match of the tournament featured a thrilling face-off between Heilongjiang and Sichuan. The athletes dazzled with their speed and precision on the ice, executing pinpoint passes and gripping moments of defense and offense. The crowd erupted with cheers as Sichuan triumphed over Heilongjiang with a score of 4-0, thanks to four goals scored in the second and third periods.

The Harbin Sports University Ice Rink, which previously hosted ice hockey events during the 2009 Winter Universiade, has been extensively renovated and is now prepared to face the challenges of the women’s ice hockey events for the 2025 Asian Winter Games. To ensure a smooth execution of the Games, the venue will host multiple competitions from September to January, thoroughly testing the facilities, operational teams, and support mechanisms essential for the upcoming event. This championship is organized by the Chinese Ice Hockey Association and hosted by Harbin Sports University, with support from the Executive Committee of the 2025 Asian Winter Games and the People’s Government of Nangang District in Harbin.