Lalremsiami Hmar becomes Mizoram's first Arjuna Award recipient

Indian women's hockey player Lalremsiami Hmar received the Arjuna Award 2025 from President Droupadi Murmu on Friday, November 13, 2026, at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, becoming the first sportsperson from Mizoram to be honoured with the national sporting award. The Sentinel Assam reported that the ceremony began at 11:30 AM IST.

Award ceremony and selection process

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports organised the award process. Justice (Retd.) Arun Kumar Mishra, a former Supreme Court judge, chaired the selection committee that reviewed the recommendations. According to the ministry, 17 Arjuna Award recipients were selected from an initial list of 24 recommendations. The final list of awardees was published on August 18, 2026, and the official presentation took place on November 13, 2026, more than 14 months after the traditional National Sports Day award window of August 29. The 2025 awards were also noted for the absence of Khel Ratna awardees, the first such occurrence since 2014.

Hmar's hockey journey

A native of Kolasib, Hmar began her hockey journey through the state-run hockey academy in Thenzawl. She subsequently joined the National Hockey Academy in New Delhi in 2016, marking an important step in her development as a professional player. Hmar made her senior international debut in 2017 and has since been part of India’s major international campaigns. Her career highlights include India’s fourth-place finish at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, a silver medal at the 2018 Asian Games, a bronze at the 2022 Asian Games, and gold-medal victories at the 2023 and 2024 Asian Champions Trophy tournaments.

Reactions from officials

Hockey India president Dr. Dilip Tirkey described the recognition as a proud moment for Indian hockey. He praised the dedication and consistency demonstrated by the award recipients, highlighting their contributions to the sport. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, which oversaw the award process, emphasized that the Arjuna Award continues to honour athletes who have shown excellence at the national and international levels.

Significance for Mizoram and message to youth

At 26 years old, Hmar dedicated the award to the younger generations and aspiring athletes of Mizoram. She said that receiving such an honour had once seemed unimaginable and highlighted that hard work can create opportunities for athletes pursuing their dreams. Her remarks underscore the importance of role models for young sportspersons from Mizoram who aim to represent India at national and international competitions. The award adds a milestone to Indian women’s hockey and brings national attention to the contribution of athletes emerging from the northeastern state.

Historical context

Hmar’s receipt of the Arjuna Award marks the first time a sportsperson from Mizoram has been honoured with the prestigious national sporting honour. The ceremony, held at the presidential residence, therefore represents a historic moment for the state, as noted by The Sentinel Assam. The award not only celebrates Hmar’s individual achievements but also signals growing recognition of sporting talent from the Northeast in India’s broader athletic landscape.