Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Khadse today called for stronger athlete support and better sports facilities in Mizoram, stressing closer coordination between the Centre and State to help young sportspersons from the Northeast reach national and international competitions.
Key Takeaways:
- Union Minister Raksha Khadse reviewed sports facilities and athlete support systems during her Aizawl visit.
- The Centre is backing Mizoram’s sports infrastructure, including a synthetic hockey turf and lighting project.
- Khadse stressed coaching, sports science, rehabilitation, nutrition and competition exposure for Northeast athletes.
Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Khadse reviewed the sports ecosystem in Mizoram during her visit to Aizawl on September 15. She examined the State’s sports infrastructure and discussed ways to create stronger pathways for young athletes.
Khadse focused on three broad areas. They included better facilities, stronger athlete support and wider opportunities for sporting talent from Mizoram and the Northeast.
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The visit also highlighted the Centre’s efforts to strengthen grassroots sports. Khadse stressed that infrastructure alone cannot produce sporting excellence. Athletes also need quality coaching, sports science, rehabilitation, nutrition and regular competition exposure.
Centre, Mizoram discuss sports development
During her Aizawl visit, Khadse met Mizoram Minister of State for Sports and Youth Services Pu Lalnghinglova Hmar. The two discussed measures to improve the State’s sporting ecosystem.
Their talks covered Centre-State coordination and sports infrastructure development. They also discussed talent identification and support for young athletes.
Khadse stressed the need to create more opportunities for sportspersons from Mizoram and other parts of the Northeast. She said better coordination between the Union and State Governments can help athletes move towards higher levels of competition.
The discussions also focused on developing facilities closer to athletes. Such infrastructure can allow young sportspersons to train in their home region while receiving structured support.
Khadse visits SAI centre in Aizawl
Khadse later visited the Sports Authority of India (SAI) centre in Aizawl. She reviewed the facilities and interacted with athletes, coaches and support staff.
SAI Assistant Director Shivam Yadav also attended the visit.
The Union Minister spoke to athletes about their training and competitive experiences. She also heard about their sporting ambitions.
Khadse appreciated their commitment and dedication to sports. She stressed the importance of giving young athletes the right support at every stage of their development.
She specifically highlighted quality coaching and scientific assistance. She also underlined the need for rehabilitation and proper nutrition.
Regular exposure to competitions, she said, can further prepare athletes for national and international events.
Khelo India to widen opportunities
SAI has a significant role in developing sporting talent across the Northeast. It also implements sports promotion programmes in the region.
Khadse said institutional support, combined with the Khelo India Scheme, can strengthen the pathway from grassroots participation to competitive sports.
The Khelo India approach aims to expand opportunities for young athletes and support talent from an early stage. For the Northeast, such programmes can provide athletes with better access to training and competition.
The Centre is also supporting infrastructure development in Mizoram.
One key project involves the SAI Training Centre in Aizawl. Under the Khelo India infrastructure project, the centre will receive a synthetic hockey turf and lighting facilities.
The project will strengthen hockey infrastructure in the State. It will also provide athletes with better conditions for training.
Mizoram showcases Northeast sporting talent
Khadse pointed to Mizoram’s strong sporting potential. She particularly highlighted football and hockey.
Athletes from the State have demonstrated that the Northeast has a deep pool of sporting talent. Their achievements also show why sustained institutional support remains important.
Khadse stressed the value of developing facilities near athletes’ homes and training centres. Such support can help young sportspersons continue their development without having to move away at an early stage.
Lalremsiami reflects Mizoram’s potential
Lalremsiami Hmarzote stands out as an example of Mizoram’s sporting talent.
She became Mizoram’s first female Olympian and the State’s first Asian Games medallist. She trained at the SAI academy in Thenzawl before progressing to the national level.
She has also been selected for the Arjuna Award 2025. This makes her the first sportsperson from Mizoram chosen for the honour.
Her journey highlights the potential that can emerge when athletes receive structured training and institutional support.
Focus on a complete athlete development system
Khadse said the Government wants to build a complete athlete development ecosystem. The approach goes beyond constructing sports facilities.
She stressed the importance of combining infrastructure with coaching, sports science and rehabilitation. Nutrition and regular competition exposure also form key parts of the system.
The Union Minister also highlighted the role of Khelo India in nurturing talent from the grassroots. She said young athletes need clear pathways to progress from initial participation to elite competition.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision has placed greater emphasis on developing a sporting culture across India. The focus includes identifying talent at the grassroots and providing athletes with structured opportunities to improve.
Khadse said the Northeast has an important role in this national sporting journey. The region has a strong sporting culture and considerable talent.
She called for continued efforts to strengthen facilities and expand opportunities for young sportspersons. Better Centre-State coordination, she said, will also remain crucial.
The Aizawl visit reaffirmed the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports’ focus on expanding sporting opportunities in the Northeast. It also underlined SAI’s continuing role in building a stronger, more accessible and athlete-centric sports ecosystem in the region. (With inputs from IANS)
