Sudeep Pakrashi:
The Union Sports Ministry has not yet sanctioned any financial grant for them. Still Mizoram government does not sit idle. In a bid to gift athletes of international quality to the country from their state for the 2036 Olympics, which the country is aiming to bid for hosting, Mizoram’s sports ministry has already built up a vision and is all set to introduce a deep-rooted development program named ‘Empowering Mizoram’.
The state government has already sanctioned Rs 2.5 crore for the development program. State sports minister Lalnghinglova Hmar, when asked about plans revealed, “Firstly, talent scout programs across the state, in all the villages, will be conducted and potential players of respective disciplines will be categorized according to their talent. We have planned to choose such specific disciplines where the athletes have a bright chance of winning medals.”
The state government has so far planned to select a few specific disciplines like badminton, boxing, judo, hockey and wrestling.
From the talent-scouting programs, the highly-potential athletes from those disciplines will be trained at a place by the top coaches, and a centre of excellence will be constructed by the government for those top-class athletes who have medal-winning prospects in events like the Olympics. The state sports ministry is already in the process of discussing with the country’s top sporting organizations to build up associations with them so that it can hire top coaches.
Citing the example of badminton, the sports minister said, “For example, Mizoram Badminton Association has already tied-up with Pullela Gopichand academy four years ago, and in the last four years our young promising boys and girls have been winning medals in the country’s different age-group competitions. Four of our badminton coaches are presently in Hyderabad, undergoing a coaches’ training program there. Similarly, our coaches of other chosen disciplines will also be made experts through training at the country’s top sporting organizations before they start training the potential boys and girls in our Centre of Excellence.”
Even, the state sports ministry has plans to look out for the top high-performance centres outside the country and in a bid to materialize their mission the government is likely to appeal to the corporate houses, the PSUs and obviously the Union Sports ministry for their grant.
However, two footballers from the constituency of state sports minister Lalengmawia Ralte and Ayush Dev Chhetri were honored by the state sports minister. Hmar said, “Today, our footballers deserve celebration not just for excelling at club level, but also for earning their place in the India national team. While many footballers rise through elite academies, these two have charted their path from Mizoram. They show others can do the same.”
Apuia, who played 27 matches this season for Mohun Bagan and delivered key playoff performances, said, “Whether it’s winning the ISL or representing India, it means a lot to be honoured at home by our Sports Minister.” Reflecting on his journey, he added, “A good academy helps, but discipline and perseverance to push through challenges, even by oneself, is what matters the most.”
Ayush Chhetri, who played 26 matches and scored once for FC Goa, earned his first India call-up earlier this year and debuted against the Maldives.
