Hon’ble Sports Ministers of our North-eastern sister states, respected Ministers and Member of Legislative Assembly of Mizoram, distinguished guests, dear athletes, coaches, sports enthusiasts and everyone present here,

It is with immense pride and excitement that I stand before you to inaugurate the Mizoram Sports Conclave – Preparing Mizoram for Olympics 2036. I hope your stay in our beautiful state has been and will continue to be a pleasant one.

(What Mizoram Sports Conclave is about?

The Mizoram Sports Conclave marks the beginning of our journey towards a shared dream: to see Mizoram and India shine on the global stage at the Olympics in 2036. Today, we are not merely attending a Conclave; we are starting a journey together – to prepare our athletes to compete with the best in the world. We believe that this is the first National-level Sports Conclave with the vision of developing world class athletes to excel for India in the 2036 Olympics.

(Popularity of sports in Mizoram)

Mizoram has a rich tradition of sports. The saying that we, the Mizos are a sports loving community has been reiterated over the years. However, it is being done so because it is true to the core meaning of love, and we do love sports. For the communities here, sports are more than just games, they are a way of life – a way to bring social cohesion and promote unity, to celebrate victories together and to support each other through defeats. In Mizoram, sports events are community events. Sports here is a source of pride that transcends ethnicity, race, religion, sex or social status.

In addition to the enthusiastic participation of the community, we also boast a passionate community of athletes. Our beautiful hills and valleys are home to many talented young men and women with indomitable spirits. Sports provide a beacon of hope and a pathway to success for our athletes, fuelled by a sense of pride to represent their communities on the sports arena, whether in local tournaments or in the national and international stage. This collective enthusiasm is the driving force behind the State’s robust sports culture, which in turn propels on-field achievements in various sports disciplines.

One of the prime examples of Mizoram's sports enthusiasm and development is football. Football is more than a game here; it is a passion that unites everyone. The Mizoram Premier League (MPL), established in 2012, has been a game-changer for the development of football in the State, for which our Sports Minister, then in his capacity as Secretary, Mizoram Football Association was actually the chief architect. The MPL has provided a steady, professional platform for nurturing local talents and to showcase their talents. The league has become a breeding ground for future stars who have gone on to play in national leagues and even represent India on international platforms. The success of the MPL has inspired countless Mizo boys and girls to dream big and work hard to achieve their goals.

(Central YMA Football tournament as an example of community engagement in sports)

There is no better example to highlight the level of community engagement in sports than Central YMA football tournaments. YMA stands for Young Mizo Association. It is the biggest and most powerful NGO in the State, with approximately 5 (five) lakh members. The Central YMA tournament, started in the year 1985, is an inter-YMA branch where thousands of young athletes from over 100 villages in the State compete for the coveted ‘Mizo World Cup’ trophy, and to write their names in the annals of Mizo football. Thousands thronged football playgrounds on matchdays to experience the exploits of their local heroes, and thousands more enjoyed the matches through local cables and social media platforms. From the bustling Aizawl city to the serene far-flung villages, the feats of the players are talked about with reverence and adoration. Since its inception, the tournament has been successful not only in providing platforms for our athletes to shine, but also in bringing together communities from all parts of the State. 

While football may be the most popular, other sports disciplines like athletics, boxing, badminton, weightlifting, hockey, volleyball and basketball also enjoy huge following in the State. For instance, Mizoram has produced exceptional athletes in weightlifting, boxing and hockey who have brought laurels not only to Mizoram but also for India. We are also running successful semi-professional leagues for basketball, volleyball and cricket. These success stories serve as inspiration for many young athletes to pursue sports professionally.

Mizoram stands as a shining example of how a small state with just 13 lakh population can make big strides in sports through passion, dedication, and strategic development.

Now, the aim is to take this talent to the highest level—the Olympics.

(Vision for success in the 2036 Olympics)

1. Keeping in view the 2036 Olympics, the state’s commitment to developing sports goes beyond just football. The Mizoram government, along with sports associations, has implemented grassroots programs for several Olympic sports disciplines to identify and nurture young talents. Non-Residential Coachings are organized all-year round to give these young athletes the experience and support they need to excel.

2. We will put in a motion a process to adopt Vision 2036 Olympics as a State Government policy.

3. To develop world class athletes require world class infrastructures. Despite the State Government’s limited budget and lack of resources, we will leave no stone unturned to ensure that our athletes have access to state-of-the-art infrastructures to train and augment their development. 

4. Under the initiative of our Sports Minister, we are planning to conduct a State-wide coaching programme for young athletes that will double as a talent identification programme. Under the programme, qualified coaches and sports equipments will reach the remotest areas of the State.

Before concluding my speech, I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the Sports Minister and officials of Sports & Youth Services Department, Government of Mizoram, our Consultant Tharthilthlentu (TiLi), and all the volunteers who make this event possible.

Conclusion 

Ladies and gentlemen, the journey to the Olympics 2036 success will be a challenging one. It will require shared vision, unending commitment and collective effort.

As we take the first steps of this journey, let us remind ourselves that we are the engineers of building a future for our athletes, a future where they will stand shoulder to shoulder with the best in the world. As the great Muhammad Ali once said, “If my mind can conceive it and my heart can believe it - then I can achieve it”, let us embark on this journey with unwavering belief and renewed dedication, to inspire our athletes to achieve greatness on the world’s brightest stage. 

Let us move ahead with faith and enthusiasm that together, we can make Mizoram – and India – shining examples of sports excellence at the Olympics 2036.

Thank you. Let the Conclave begin!