Sports Minister calls for greater focus on olympic sports at Sport India Conference 2024

Aizawl, 31 Aug (Zoram News): The Sport India Conference 2024, held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, brought together key figures from the sports industry and government to discuss the future of sports in India. Organised jointly by the Physical Education Foundation of India (PEFI) and the Sport India Foundation, the event featured Mizoram’s Minister of State for Sports & Youth Services, Lalnghinglova Hmar, as guest of honour, with Madhya Pradesh Sports Minister Vishvas Kailash Sarang attending as chief guest.

In his address, Lalnghinglova Hmar underscored that sports should not be viewed merely as entertainment but as a significant driver of youth employment and a potent tool for enhancing India’s global image. He noted that despite Mizoram’s relatively small size, the state has produced 192 players who have competed in India’s top football leagues, including the ISL and the Indian Super League, over the past decade. Hmar stressed the importance of strong grassroots education to cultivate top-tier talent and emphasised the need for continuous improvement as the country looks ahead to future Olympic success.

Hmar further highlighted India’s ambitions to host the 2036 Olympic Games, noting that Mizoram has already begun preparations with the Mizoram Sports Conclave, held on June 13-14, 2024. He remarked that while cricket has long been India’s dominant sport, there is a pressing need to elevate other Olympic sports disciplines to improve the overall landscape of Indian sports.

During a panel discussion at the conference, Hmar shared Mizoram’s plans to implement an extensive sports coaching project across the state. He stressed the importance of identifying and nurturing talented individuals. Addressing a query from the moderator, Hmar revealed, "We are taking significant steps to re-popularise hockey among women in Mizoram. Hockey, which has historically brought glory to India and solidified the country’s global reputation, deserves our focused attention. While we’ve made progress in women’s hockey, we need to push further in men’s hockey and produce champions."

The Sport India Conference 2024 also explored how sports can fuel economic growth, with a major session focused on "Global Trends and Opportunities in Sports Management: Impact of Professional Leagues and Sports Tourism on Economic Development." The conference was attended by sports administrators from various Indian states, industry leaders, heads of sports universities, and experts. The event will be followed by the Sport India Expo at Pragati Maidan, running from August 29 to 31, 2024, where major players in the sports industry from across India and beyond will showcase their latest products.