Mizoram minister Lalnghinglova Hmar pitches sports training in Delhi

Mizoram's Employment, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Lalnghinglova Hmar held a series of meetings in New Delhi with Union officials and prospective investors this week, focusing on skills, sports training and investment.

According to a statement from the state Information and Public Relations Department on Wednesday, October 28, Hmar met Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary of the Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), on Tuesday to review central schemes in Mizoram.

Skills schemes under review

The talks covered the PM-SETU scheme for upgrading Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY). Both sides discussed how to improve implementation and deal with problems in carrying out the schemes in the state.

Push for sports training

Hmar raised Mizoram's proposal, submitted to the ministry in 2024, to bring sports training under MSDE schemes. He argued that sport needs specialised training and expertise and should be linked to skill development. Referring to India's ambition to host the 2036 Olympic Games, he said training was needed for coaches as well as athletes.

According to the statement, Mukherjee said the proposal had been examined and that efforts would be made to take it forward within the ministry's existing schemes.

Hmar, who also holds the Sports portfolio, separately met Vineel Krishna, Joint Secretary (Khelo India) in the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. They discussed strengthening selected disciplines in which Mizoram has medal potential and widening opportunities for its athletes. Krishna said the ministry had taken note of the state's Empowering Mizoram Sports programme.

Meetings with investors

The minister also met representatives of companies and institutions interested in investing in Mizoram. They presented their plans and discussed possible areas of cooperation. Hmar said the proposals would be examined and invited the investors to visit Mizoram to see the opportunities on the ground before finalising their plans.

Mizoram has a strong sporting culture, especially in football, and the state government has been seeking central support to turn that into structured training and careers.