Hon’ble Chief Guest, the Chief Minister of Mizoram, Hon’ble Sports Ministers of Assam and Meghalaya, Hon’ble Ministers and Member of Legislative Assembly of Mizoram, distinguished guests, dear athletes, coaches, sports enthusiasts and everyone present here,
It is an honour and privilege to stand before you to speak on an outlining of the Mizoram Sports Conclave, 2024.
(Using Jamaica’s Olympics success to highlight the importance of athlete development)
At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the world was captivated by the performances of Jamaican sprinters led by Usain Bolt, who set new world records in both the 100m and 200m sprints. Jamaica went on to win 11 medals – with 5 gold medals in the Beijing Olympics, with all the medals coming in Athletics.
Jamaica, a small Caribbean nation with limited resources and infrastructure compared to more developed countries, has consistently produced world class sprinters, winning 86 out of the country’s 87 Olympic medals in history. The nation’s success is largely attributed to a focus on athlete development rather than advanced infrastructure. The country has emphasised on grassroots development – identifying talent early and honing their skills through excellent coaching, and fostering a supportive environment.
Jamaica’s achievements have highlighted the importance of effective athlete development, and have influenced other nations to reconsider their approach to sports development.
(Vision of the Mizoram Sports Conclave aligning with India’s plan bid for Olympics 2036)
During the 141st International Olympic Committee (IOC) session held in Mumbai, on October 14, 2023, the then Prime Minister Narendra Modi confirmed India’s intention to bid for hosting the 2036 Olympics Games. As we are all aware, India being a powerful economy is more than capable of hosting the Games and building world class sports infrastructures. However, infrastructure alone does not guarantee success at the world’s foremost sports competition. Parallel focus on developing athletes to train, compete and excel in such world class infrastructures needs to be prioritized. The Mizoram Sports Conclave is envisioned to bring a much-needed attention to this aspect of sports development, with special focus on development of 8-15 year olds who will be positioned to hit their prime physical condition by 2036.
(Finding and nurturing talent)
Our first priority is to find and nurture talented athletes from all over Mizoram. Our state is brimming with young athletes with the potential to succeed in sports. As mentioned by the Hon’ble Chief Minister, we are devising a programme under the State Government’s Handholding (Ban-a kaih) policy to provide basic coaching to potential athletes in every village of the State. The programme, to be run in Public-Private Partnership mode will also double as a talent search network system to identify and develop athletes with Olympic-level potentials, who will be provided advanced coaching and a platform to compete consistently, ensuring that our athletes have a strong foundation from an early stage.
Olympic sports disciplines will be given priority in implementation of the programme.
In coordination with our sports associations, we would also like to conduct age-group competitions in all the 11 (eleven) Districts of the State. These competitions will provide platforms for our young boys and girls to gain exposure and experience. Athletes with potential will be identified and provided coaching to enhance their talent. The best performing players will have opportunities to train and compete with their peers in other States through exchange programmes with academies and partners in different parts of India. This will ensure that our athletes have access to the best possible trainings, resources and expertise.
(Upgradation of sports coaching and use of Sports Science and Medicine)
The next priority is to upgrade the capacity of our coaches and mentors. The importance of coaches in an athlete’s development and career cannot be overstated. They help athletes develop from a young age – both physically and mentally, allowing them to become the best possible versions of themselves.
To ensure that our athletes receive the best guidance, the standard of our coaches need to at par with the best in the world. Refresher courses will be organized at regular intervals to update our coaches on the latest coaching techniques, strategies and practices. We are also aiming for partnerships with premier institutions across the country to send our coaches and mentors to undergo refresher trainings and exchange programmes.
To compete and excel at the highest level, we understand that mental strength is just as important as physical skills and talent. We seek to partner with leading sports science and life coaching institutions to bring the latest knowledge to Mizoram and support our athletes in all aspects of their development.
(Investing in Sports Infrastructure)
The current state of sports infrastructures in Mizoram leaves a lot to be desired. To help our athletes reach the pinnacle of their sport disciplines, investment in sports infrastructures that meet international standards are required. We will prioritize development of state-of-the-art infrastructures and facilities, and ensure that our athletes are not deprived of the resources they need to train and compete at their best.
We will be seeking funding from the Central government through submission of infrastructure projects, while also actively looking for partnerships with reliable corporates and PSUs through their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds.
We welcome partnerships and collaborations for construction of modern stadium, sports complexes and training facilities. We will also make our existing sports infrastructures more accessible to our athletes – through proper maintenance, increased training programmes and competitions.
(Engagement of community and educational institutions)
As we prepare our young men and women for the Olympics, the need to transform the mindset of parents, teachers, NGOs and the community at large to align with the vision for Olympics 2036 success is not lost on us. We will organize events to promote inclusion of our local communities and educational institutions in our journey, which will in turn encourage larger public participation and foster a sense of pride in the success of our athletes. This is especially important for improving the participation of girls and women in the vision for Olympics 2036.
Exchange programs with their counterparts from other parts of the country will also give our athletes and coaches opportunities for learning other and for developing friendships.
Partnerships and Collaborations
To make the vision of Olympics 2036 success a reality will require a steadfast, collective effort. To speak plainly, the Government of Mizoram with its limited budget does not possess sufficient resources to achieve this ambitious goal. We are seeking to build a strong network of partners, including national and international sports organizations, Indian Olympic Association, government agencies, and corporates. We also actively look for collaborations to provide our athletes with the resources, expertise and access needed for their development into Olympians.
Conclusion
As we set our sights on Olympics 2036, let us remember that our greatest assets lie not in the infrastructures we build but in the athletes we develop. Each of us has a role to play in developing the next generation of athletes, and make the vision of Olympics 2036 success a reality.
Let us invest in grassroots programs and provide our coaches with the resources and facilities they need. Let us support our athletes with not just infrastructures and facilities, but also with mentorship, encouragement and a supportive environment for them to flourish.
During the Conclave, our speakers and panellists will speak on the role of various stakeholders – both public and private – to meet the goal of Olympics 2036 success. I urge all participants to be actively engaged throughout the Conclave, and attend the session with a spirit of cooperation and participate in the discussions that follow.
Let us move ahead with the belief that with our collective effort, every child in Mizoram who dreams of being an Olympic champion is given an opportunity to achieve his or her dream.
Thank you.
