Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Aizawl: Mizoram handed Rs 40 lakh to hockey stars Lalremsiami and Lalthantluangi on October 5. The duo brought home gold from the Asian Games in Japan. They are the first athletes from the state to medal at the event. Chief Minister Lalduhoma honored them at a ceremony at the R Dengthuama Indoor Stadium in Aizawl. Each athlete gets Rs 25 lakh from the State Incentive Cash Award scheme plus another Rs 15 lakh from the Bana Kaih scheme.
Lalduhoma pointed to the athletes as proof that local talent thrives with the right backing. He stated, "Lalremsiami and Lalthantluangi had created history by becoming the first athletes from Mizoram to win medals at the Asian Games, with the state's medal journey at the continental event beginning with gold." Both players learned the game at the Thenzawl Women Hockey Academy.
Officials are doubling down on local infrastructure. The Sports Authority of India is laying a new turf at the Thenzawl academy for Rs 6 crore. A 30-bed hostel is also going up at that site. The Ministry of Minority Affairs signed off on Rs 9.8 crore to build a new hockey ground in Hnahthial. The state will also rename the Kolasib Diakkawn GSA playground after Lalremsiami.
Sports Minister Lalnghinglova Hmar noted the team's historic win ended a 44-year drought. He credited the athletes for putting Mizoram on the map. The government now aims to boost training through its Empowering Mizoram Sports program. Both players have already punched their tickets to the 2028 Olympic Games.
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