Aizawl: Indian hockey international and Olympian Lalremsiami has become the first sportsperson from Mizoram to be selected for the prestigious Arjuna Award, recognising her contribution to Indian women’s hockey.
The 26-year-old forward, who is Mizoram’s only female Olympian, is among 17 sportspersons chosen for the Arjuna Award 2025 by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
Her selection has drawn congratulations from across Mizoram, with Chief Minister Lalduhoma, Sports Minister Lalnghinglova Hmar, Congress president Lal Thanzara and other leaders describing the achievement as a landmark moment for the state’s sporting community.
Born in March 2000 into an agrarian family, Lalremsiami originally hails from Diglangmukh, a remote village in Assam’s Cachar district. Her family moved to Kolasib in Mizoram in 2005 when she was five years old.
Her journey in hockey began after teachers Lallawmawmi, Lalrampari and Lalrothuami recognised her potential and encouraged her to take up the sport seriously.
Lalremsiami joined the state-run hockey academy at Thenzawl, around 91 km from Aizawl, in 2011 at the age of 11. Five years later, she moved to the National Hockey Academy in New Delhi to continue her training.
She made her national-level debut at the Junior Nehru Hockey Tournament in October 2011 before earning selection to India’s Under-18 squad for the Asian Cup in December 2016.
In 2017, she received her first call-up to the senior national team and was part of the Indian side that won gold at the Asia Cup.
Since then, Lalremsiami has established herself as a regular member of the national team and represented India at several major international competitions. She was part of the squad that finished fourth at the Tokyo Olympics.
She made history again at the 2018 Asian Games, becoming the first sportsperson from Mizoram to win a medal at the continental event after helping India secure silver.
One of the defining moments of her career came in 2019 when she chose to remain with the Indian team for the FIH Women’s Series in Japan following the death of her father, Lalthansanga Zote.
India went on to win the series by defeating Japan and secured qualification for the Olympics. The achievement also made Lalremsiami the first woman from Mizoram to compete at the Olympics.
She became the state’s second Olympian in 25 years after archer C. Lalremsanga, who represented India at the 1992 Barcelona and 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
In 2020, Lalremsiami added another distinction to her career when she became the first Indian woman hockey player to receive the International Hockey Federation’s Women’s Rising Star of the Year award.
Her selection for the Arjuna Award has also been an emotional moment for her family, particularly in memory of her late father.
Her mother, Lalzarmawii, said the family was overwhelmed by the news and had never imagined that Lalremsiami would receive such a prestigious national honour.
She recalled how her husband, who died of cardiac arrest in June 2019, had always encouraged their daughter and believed she could make a significant contribution to the country and Mizoram.
Chief Minister Lalduhoma described the recognition as a moment of “great pride and immense joy”, praising Lalremsiami’s dedication and perseverance.
He said her selection was particularly significant as she is set to become the first Mizo recipient of the Arjuna Award and described her achievement as an inspiration for young people across the state.
Sports Minister Lalnghinglova Hmar also congratulated the hockey player, saying her commitment and contribution to Indian hockey had brought pride to both Mizoram and the country.
He described the honour as a major milestone in Lalremsiami’s career and wished her continued success in the future.