AIZAWL, Nov 19: Mizoram Minister of State for Sports and Youth Services Lalnghinglova Hmar held discussions with the HCL Foundation and the World Bank on Tuesday to explore collaborative initiatives aimed at enhancing sports development in the north eastern state and integrating it with broader goals such as tourism, urban planning and youth empowerment.
The Sports Minister, currently in New Delhi, met HCL Foundation officials, including Col. Gopal Karunakaran, CEO of Shiv Nadar School, at the HCL Campus in Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
Highlighting Mizoram’s potential in the India’s 2036 Olympics vision, Hmar emphasised the state’s readiness to contribute.
“Mizoram possesses exceptional sports talent, but limited sports budgets hinder opportunities for our youth. We seek partnerships to nurture and showcase their abilities effectively,” he said, underscoring sports as a tool for livelihood, social unity, and behavioural change in the state.
Hmar stated that Mizoram was the first state in India to host a Sports Conclave under the Olympic 2036 vision. He revealed that efforts are underway to implement projects for statewide sports coaching and talent discovery, supported by the state government’s flagship programme Bana Kaih (Handholding) scheme.
He also highlighted the success of two state-run football academies, which rank among India’s best, producing numerous players competing at the national level. The Minister invited stakeholders to strengthen and expand the academies further.
During the meeting, Shiv Nadar School’s CEO and HCL officials expressed interest in Mizoram’s sports initiatives, highlighting their commitment to supporting state-level sports development through CSR activities. They discussed potential collaborations between Mizoram’s sports academies and the Vidyagyan Academy in Noida, indicating plans for continued engagement to finalise actionable strategies.
Earlier in the day, Hmar also met Benedict?, Lead Economist at the World Bank, at their New Delhi office. Discussions revolved around the integration of sports development with tourism, urban planning, healthcare, and anti-substance abuse programmes in Mizoram. It was agreed to explore alignment with existing frameworks between the World Bank and the Government of India. (UNI)
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