India has received on-ice equipment as part of the WCF development assistance programme ©Getty Images

India has received on-ice equipment as part of the World Curling Federation (WCF) development assistance programme.

The equipment is set to help the Curling Federation of India grow the sport in the country and develop athletes for international competition. 

Once COVID-19 restrictions are relaxed, the Curling Federation of India is planning to hold curling workshops, training camps and competitions. 

In addition, a week-long festival of curling is being planned to take place later this year in New Delhi. 

This will include India's first training camp for both junior and adult curlers, and will culminate in an on-ice national competition for various age categories. 

The training camps and competition will be led by Indian curlers playing and living overseas. 

A week-long festival of curling in New Delhi is in the works ©Getty Images
A week-long festival of curling in New Delhi is in the works ©Getty Images

While the availability of ice is currently limited, the Curling Federation of India is working to partner with various skating rinks around the country to organise on-ice events. 

It is also hoped the organisation will gain access to several outdoor facilities in India’s northern states, where full-length curling sheets can be set up for two to three months during the winter. 

The WCF development assistance programme is available to member associations to aid with curling development projects. 

India was added to the WCF Pacific-Asia zone in 2019.