The Mizoram government on Monday announced a cash reward of Rs 40 lakh each for Asian Games gold medallists Lalremsiami and Lalthantluangi for their historic achievement in hockey.
The two Mizo players, who were part of the Indian women’s hockey team that clinched the gold medal at the Asian Games on October 2, were accorded a hero welcome in Aizawl on Monday.
Chief Minister Lalduhoma, who felicitated the two players at a function at R Dengthuama Indoor Stadium here, said each athlete would receive Rs 25 lakh under the Mizoram State Incentive Cash Award scheme and an additional Rs 15 lakh under the state flagship ‘Bana Kaih’ scheme.
He said that the two players had become the first athletes from Mizoram to win medals at the Asian Games and described it as a matter of pride that the state’s medal journey at the continental event had begun with gold.
He also congratulated them on qualifying for the 2028 Olympic Games.
Lalremsiami and Lalthantluangi, who trained at the Thenzawl Women Hockey Academy, had helped the Indian women’s hockey team win the Asian Games gold.
Lalduhoma said their success demonstrated Mizoram’s potential in hockey if athletes were provided proper training and support.
He said that hockey had been included among the selected sports under the Bana Kaih scheme’s “Empowering Mizoram Sports” programme, given India’s prominence in the sport internationally.
The Chief Minister also highlighted Lalremsiami’s other achievements, including her selection for the prestigious Arjuna Award and her contribution to India’s qualification for the upcoming Olympic Games.
“In recognition of her outstanding achievements, the government planned to name a hockey ground after her and The Kolasib Diakkawn GSA playground is being identified for the purpose,” he said.
Highlighting the government’s efforts to promote hockey, Lalduhoma said that the Sports Authority of India had begun laying a hockey turf at the Thenzawl Women Hockey Academy at a cost of Rs 6 crore.
A 30-bed hostel was also under construction at the academy, while the Ministry of Minority Affairs had approved Rs 9.8 crore for construction of a hockey ground at Hnahthial, he said.
Sports Minister Lalnghinglova Hmar, who addressed the felicitation programme, said the Indian women’s hockey team’s Asian Games triumph after 44 years was a significant achievement.
He praised Lalremsiami’s goal, which brought honour not only to Mizoram but to the entire country.
Hmar added that the Empowering Mizoram Sports programme, launched following the Mizoram Sports Conclave 2024, was being implemented in conjunction with the Bana Kaih (Handholding) scheme to develop sports infrastructure and provide training to athletes.
