Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Aizawl: Mizoram Sports Minister Lalnghinglova Hmar recently met with Hari Ranjan Rao, Director General of the Sports Authority of India (SAI), in New Delhi to advocate for expanded sports infrastructure in the state. The discussions, which took place on May 6, focused on the state's Empowering Mizoram Sports programme and specifically addressed the need to revive the popularity of hockey, which officials identified as a key sport for India's international success.
Highlighting the ongoing achievements of the women's hockey academy located in Thenzawl, Serchhip district, Minister Hmar proposed establishing a parallel facility for men. He expressed that while local athletes possess natural talent for the sport, active participation has faced a decline in recent years. In addition to hockey, the minister requested the establishment of further SAI training centres dedicated to badminton, archery, and wrestling to support the region's diverse sporting culture.
In response to the proposal, Rao affirmed the Centre's commitment to prioritizing hockey development and improving training standards by optimizing existing state facilities. He acknowledged Mizoram's impressive advancements in badminton and suggested that the success currently enjoyed by Mizo football players could serve as a model for other athletic disciplines. Furthermore, Rao noted that several local initiatives are well positioned to eventually secure accreditation as Khelo India training centres.
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