Five under-16 hockey players from Mizoram have been selected to train at the National Centres of Excellence (NCoE) under the Sports Authority of India (SAI). This recognition marks a major achievement for the young athletes and reflects the growing strength of Mizoram as a budding powerhouse in Indian hockey.
The selection of these talented players—two girls and three boys—came after a rigorous scouting process that included performances in national and zonal tournaments, as well as talent identification camps conducted by SAI and Hockey India. Their inclusion in the NCoE program offers them world-class training facilities, expert coaching, and the chance to compete at higher levels of the sport.
The players selected are:
- Lalrinhlui (Goalkeeper, Girls U-16)
- Vanlalruati (Midfielder, Girls U-16)
- Lalliansanga (Defender, Boys U-16)
- Rohlupuia (Forward, Boys U-16)
- Joseph Lalnunmawia (Midfielder, Boys U-16)
All five come from humble backgrounds in various districts of Mizoram, where hockey has long been a growing passion despite limited infrastructure. Their selection is not only a personal triumph but also a matter of pride for their families, coaches, and the local sports authorities who have nurtured their early potential.
Mizoram’s Director of Sports and Youth Services, Lalsangliana Pachuau, expressed pride and excitement at the news. “This is a historic moment for Mizoram hockey. These young athletes have shown incredible dedication, and their hard work is now being recognized at the national level. We hope this achievement will inspire many more youngsters across the state to take up the sport seriously.”
The National Centres of Excellence, spread across India in cities like Bhopal, Bengaluru, Sonipat, and Patiala, are elite training hubs where selected athletes are groomed under the guidance of top-level coaches, sports scientists, nutritionists, and physiotherapists. The inclusion of Mizoram’s players in these centers represents a growing diversification in India’s sporting talent pool, which for decades was dominated by athletes from a few key states.
Their journey to the top has not been easy. Most of these young players had to train on uneven fields with basic equipment, often juggling schoolwork with early morning and evening practice sessions. Despite these hurdles, their determination has paid off.
Lalrinhlui, the 15-year-old goalkeeper who will be training at the NCoE in Bhopal, shared her excitement: “It still feels like a dream. I’ve always wanted to play for India someday, and this is the first big step toward that goal. I want to make my state and my family proud.”
The Hockey Mizoram Association also acknowledged the achievement, attributing it to consistent efforts at the grassroots level. “Over the past few years, we’ve focused on building district-level academies, conducting regular coaching camps, and organizing inter-school tournaments,” said HMA Secretary Tlangliana. “These efforts are now bearing fruit.”
With India increasingly focusing on developing sports infrastructure and nurturing young talent from across the country, the rise of players from Mizoram highlights the importance of inclusive sports development. The region, already known for producing football and boxing stars, is now firmly making its mark in hockey as well.
The selection of these five players is likely to attract more attention to hockey in Mizoram, potentially unlocking more funding, infrastructure projects, and public interest. Moreover, it serves as a powerful example of how talent from remote areas, when given the right opportunities, can compete on equal footing with the best in the country.
As the young athletes begin their new journey in the National Centres of Excellence, they carry with them not just their dreams, but also the hopes of a state that is steadily carving out a place in the national sporting map. Mizoram may be small in size, but its heart and hunger for success on the field are bigger than ever.