Green Hockey, Switzerland and Green Hockey Oceania, India Sign MoU to build a New Ecosystem for Sustainable Ice Sports  

India- Switzerland Collaboration for Development of Green Hockey

• Sport, Sustainability, and Global Innovation Converge at International Sports and Sustainability Conclave 2026
•  Green Hockey AG Showcases the world’s first immersive Black Ice experience

Rakesh Thapliyal 

New Delhi: Calling for a new era of global collaboration to play sports more sustainable, inclusive, and technology-driven, policymakers, international sports leaders, industry experts and sustainability champions came together at the International Sports & Sustainability Conclave 2026 held here at Bharat Mandapam on August 1.

Organised by Green Hockey Oceania, India and Green Hockey AG, Switzerland, the conclave marked one of India’s first international platforms dedicated to integrating sport, sustainability, innovation, and global partnerships. The event focused on promoting environmentally responsible sporting infrastructure, advancing youth engagement, and strengthening international cooperation through sport.

During the Conclave Green Hockey, Switzerland and Green Hockey Oceania signed an MoU to jointly build a future-ready ecosystem for sustainable Ice sports infrastructure and promote green hockey in India.

Welcoming the delegates, Mr. Sudhanshu Pandey, Acclaimed Actor and Mentor, Green Hockey Oceania India said sport has the unique ability to unite people beyond boundaries and inspire positive societal change.

“Sport has always been one of humanity’s greatest unifying forces. When sustainability becomes part of sport, we inspire an entire generation to think differently about the future. This conclave demonstrates how entertainment, sports, technology and environmental responsibility can come together to create lasting social impact. We must encourage young Indians to become not just better athletes but responsible global citizens,” said Mr. Sudhanshu Pandey.

Mr. Gaurav Gautam, Sports Minister, Government of Haryana, said, “This is a commendable initiative by Green Hockey Oceania and Green Hockey AG for the youth of India. India has witnessed a transformational journey in sports over the past 12 years through landmark initiatives such as Khelo India, Fit India and the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, creating an empowered, energetic and aspirational young generation.”

“Haryana has emerged as the sports powerhouse of India, consistently producing champions across disciplines. The state has launched Mission Olympics 2036 with the ambitious target of winning 36 Olympic medals, contributing significantly to India’s aspirations of hosting the 2036 Olympic Games. We are investing in talent identification, world-class infrastructure and scientific training to achieve this vision, added Gautam.

“While ice sports are still at a nascent stage in both Haryana and India, our athletes have already demonstrated their potential in ice sports by winning international medals. The Government of Haryana will extend all possible support to Green Hockey, including facilitating manufacturing and allied facilities in the state. We also look forward to developing ice sports rings in Haryana, creating a robust ecosystem for ice hockey while opening new opportunities for our youth,” said Shri Gaurav Gautam.

Shri Vipul Goyal Minster of Local Bodies and Civil Aviation, Haryana said, “Haryana has built a strong sporting ecosystem by providing world-class infrastructure, financial assistance and comprehensive social security to its sportspersons. The state’s vision is to nurture excellence while encouraging innovation in emerging sporting disciplines. Initiatives such as Green Hockey, which combine sports with sustainability through environmentally responsible technologies, are both timely and encouraging, particularly for a state committed to promoting green development.

He said Haryana is ready to extend all possible support to develop a robust ecosystem for Green Hockey, including facilitating manufacturing and related infrastructure in the state. “With the government’s full support, we are confident that this new sport will grow rapidly and create fresh opportunities for young athletes while reinforcing Haryana’s position as India’s leading sporting state,” he added.

Highlighting the importance of Swiss Partnership, Mr. Gaurav Yadav, Co-Founder, Green Hockey Oceania, said, “Our vision is to create a complete ecosystem for ice hockey in India. Through strategic partnerships with Green Hockey AG, governments, educational institutions, sports federations and the private sector, we aim to make world-class sporting infrastructure accessible to Indian youth.”

“This initiative is not simply about installing synthetic ice surfaces. It is about creating an entirely new sports category in India by combining sustainability, innovation, athlete development and international collaboration,” he added.

Mr. Nitin Kumar, Co-Founder, Geen Hockey, Oceania and national-level ice hockey athlete said, “India possesses enormous, untapped potential for ice based sports. By combining Swiss engineering with Indian entrepreneurship and athlete development, we are creating opportunities for young players to train throughout the year without depending on expensive refrigerated ice rinks. Sustainable technology is making ice sports more accessible than ever before.”

The partnership aims to democratise access to ice hockey and skating while promoting grassroots participation, innovation, and international collaboration. This partnership marks the beginning of a new era for green hockey in India.

Earlier in his keynote address Mr, Riccardo Signorell, Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Green Hockey AG, Switzerland, said, “We are proud to introduce Green Hockey’s Swiss-engineered technologies to India. Our ambition extends far beyond supplying products. We want to create an entirely new sports ecosystem for ice hockey and all other hockey-players that is why we launched colours of hockey.”

“Traditional ice rinks require enormous investments in refrigeration, electricity, and water. Our patented technologies remove these barriers, making world-class green hockey infrastructure possible in countries without natural snow or ice. We believe India can become a major hub for sustainable sports for all seasons,” he added.

Throughout the conclave, speakers agreed that the convergence of Swiss engineering, Indian entrepreneurship, and public policy support has the potential to accelerate the development of sustainable sports infrastructure across the country.

A major attraction of the Sport Expo, held at Bharat Mandapam, was the live showcase of Green Hockey’s Swiss-engineered sustainable sports for all seasons, including the revolutionary shark blades and oceanice 2.0 synthetic ice surface and the world’s first immersive Black Ice experience, demonstrating how entertainment infrastructure can be developed.