Mizoram Sports Minister Lalnghinglova Hmar has called on the central government to grant special status to the northeastern region for developing sports infrastructure and nurturing talent. Speaking at the three-day Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav in Delhi, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Hmar urged Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Jyotiraditya M. Scindia to explore additional funding avenues beyond the flagship Khelo India programme.
Highlighting the sports-loving culture of the northeast, Hmar said the current funding under Khelo India is insufficient to sustain the aspirations of the region. “Scindia ji mentioned sports four times during his visit to Mizoram, and Conrad ji also touched upon it. My humble request is for the DoNER Ministry to seek special status for the northeast to fund sports infrastructure and talent development,” he said.
The minister emphasized that if India aims to host the 2036 Olympics, the government must focus equally on talent identification and infrastructure development. “While India can produce world-class infrastructure, the critical question is: who will compete in these facilities? The northeast has immense talent that can shine on the global stage with the right investment,” he added.
Hmar warned of potential embarrassment if India hosts the Olympics but fails to secure gold medals, urging targeted investments in talent identification programmes and infrastructure to avoid such a scenario. “The northeast, with its rich pool of sports talent, can play a crucial role in India’s Olympic success if provided with adequate opportunities and support,” he said.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, participating in the session titled Towards Prosperity: Catalysing North East’s Progress for a Viksit Bharat, echoed the importance of integrating sports and music into the region’s development model. Shillong, Meghalaya’s capital, is already a hub for international and domestic bands, showcasing the vibrant cultural scene of the northeast.
The Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav celebrated the diverse culture, craftsmanship, and economic potential of the northeast, including its unique Geographical Indication (GI) tagged products. The event showcased textiles, traditional crafts, and tourism, with PM Modi visiting several pavilions to interact with artisans and craftsmen, highlighting the region’s cultural richness.
Hmar concluded by advocating for dedicated government funding aligned with PM Modi’s vision for hosting the 2036 Olympics, saying that investing in the northeast’s talent could ensure India’s global success in sports.
