Mizoram becomes first state to declare sports as an industry

Mizoram has become the first state in India to declare sports as an industry, said Governor P.S. Sreedharan Pillai on Tuesday.

For the development of sports infrastructure in the state, the Union Minority Affairs Ministry has approved projects worth Rs 22,873 lakh under the ‘Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram’ scheme for establishing residential sports schools in five districts as well as the construction of community service centres in four locations, the Governor added.

While addressing the Republic Day gathering at the Assam Rifles ground in Aizawl after unfurling the Tricolour, Pillai said the laying of artificial football turf at Chawngte and Hachhek and construction of district sports complex at Mamit district would also be taken up.

Under the ‘Khelo India’ scheme, Rs 15.50 crore was sanctioned by the Union Sports and Youth Affairs Ministry for laying artificial football turfs at Armed Veng, Muallungthu and Lengpui as well as Rs 5.5 crore for construction of a hockey ground at Muallungthu, the Governor added.

Pillai said Mizoram was among the first eight states in the Northeast region to set up ‘Khelo India State Centre of Excellence’, approved by the Sports and Youth Affairs Ministry and three disciplines—boxing, judo and weightlifting—would be initially promoted.

He said as tourism was one of the hardest-hit sectors due to Covid-19, there has been a declining trend both in terms of revenue earned and tourist arrivals.