Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports Raksha Khadse conducted a review of Mizoram's sports ecosystem during her visit to Aizawl on September 15, 2026, with focus on strengthening sports infrastructure, supporting athletes, and creating greater opportunities for sporting talent from Northeast India. The visit aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision to build a stronger sporting culture and expand opportunities for young Indians.
Khadse was welcomed by Mizoram's Minister of State for Sports & Youth Services Lalnghinglova Hmar, with discussions focusing on Centre-State coordination, development of sports infrastructure, nurturing sporting talent, and creating opportunities for young athletes from Mizoram and the wider Northeast region. During her visit to the Sports Authority of India (SAI) centre in Aizawl, Khadse reviewed available sports infrastructure and interacted with athletes, coaches, and support staff including SAI Assistant Director Shivam Yadav.
The minister emphasized the importance of providing young sportspersons from the Northeast with quality coaching, scientific support, rehabilitation, nutrition, competition exposure, and opportunities to progress to national and international levels. She highlighted SAI's significant presence in the Northeast supporting sporting talent development and implementation of sports promotional programs, complemented by initiatives under the Khelo India Scheme creating pathways for athletes from grassroots participation to competitive sport.
Infrastructure development includes an ongoing Khelo India project for laying a synthetic hockey turf and providing lighting at the SAI Training Centre in Aizawl, strengthening hockey facilities in the state. Khadse noted Mizoram's demonstrated sporting potential particularly in football and hockey, citing Lalremsiami Hmarzote as Mizoram's first female Olympian, first Asian Games medallist, and first sportsperson from the state to receive the Arjuna Award 2025 after training at the SAI academy in Thenzawl.
The government's approach focuses on building a complete athlete development ecosystem where infrastructure is complemented by quality coaching, sports science, rehabilitation, nutrition, and regular competition exposure, with emphasis on strengthening facilities closer to athletes and ensuring effective coordination between Union and State Governments.