Telangana–North East Connect highlights sports collaboration opportunities

Mizoram Sports Minister Lal Lallinglova said the North East has the talent to become a sports powerhouse. At the Telangana–North East Connect festival, icons including Mary Kom, Mirabai Chanu and Bhaichung Bhutia emphasized infrastructure, coaching and collaboration for athlete development

Hyderabad: Mizoram will be a future sports powerhouse of the country given the immense sporting talent and potential of the North Eastern Region, said Mizoram Minister for Sports and Youth Services Lal Lallinglova HMA.

Lallinglova, participating in a panel discussion held as part of the Telangana–North East Connect Sports Festival, an initiative of Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, said there had been great improvement not just in terms of infrastructure but also in the increasing passion among the youth.

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“Significantly, many youth in the North East are looking at sports as a tool to make an impression at the highest level. We are very confident of making it big in the world of sports as we already have some inspirational sporting legends from the region including five-time women’s world boxing champion Mary Kom, weightlifter Mirabai Chanu and many international boxers,” the Mizoram Minister said in the panel discussion ‘Spirit of The Games – Connecting Telangana and North East’ here on Saturday.

Telangana Special Chief Secretary Jayesh Ranjan briefed about the initiatives taken by the Telangana Government for the development of sports in the state.

Padma Shri awardee and football icon Bhaichung Bhutia emphasized the importance of sports associations and community involvement in sports promotion.

Padma Shri awardee and weightlifter from Manipur Mirabai Chanu discussed the challenges faced by women sportspersons and the need for greater support systems.

Arjuna Awardee boxer L Sarita Devi highlighted the crucial role played by coaches in shaping athletes’ careers.

Arjuna Awardee from Tripura Mantu Debnath spoke about the importance of sports academies in grooming gymnastics talent.

Chief national badminton coach P Gopichand shared insights into the functioning and athlete development programs of the Gopichand Badminton Academy.

Sports journalist from the North East Indraneel Das explained the positive social transformation brought about by sports in the region, while veteran Manipuri journalist Pradip Phanjoubam served as moderator for the session.

Speakers emphasized that Telangana and the North Eastern states have vast opportunities for collaboration in the sports sector and stressed the importance of coordinated efforts by governments, sports associations and the public.

Dr Soni Bala Devi, VC and MD of Sports Authority of Telangana, presented the vote of thanks.

The event witnessed the participation of several Arjuna and Dronacharya awardees, representatives of sports federations, coaches, officials and staff from Telangana and the North Eastern states.