In a significant move to give a boost to sports sector in the state, the Mizoram cabinet on Friday granted “industry” status to sports.
State sports minister Robert Romawia Royte said the cabinet has cleared the proposal by state sports and youth service department to grant sports an industry status, which according to him, was a significant move to take forwards the segment in a more systematic and sustainable manner.
He hailed the decision as “historic” and “unprecedented” development in the history of Mizoram, which will usher in rapid as well as large scale development in various fields of sports.
“This is a clear show of level of state’s commitment towards hollistic development of sports. We hope to attract more private companies to invest in sporting activities as Mizoram has evolved conducive sports eco-system,” Royte said.
He claimed that Mizoram was the first state to decide granting of industry status to sports.
He said the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and other big industrial bodies have been demanding industry status to sports since long time ago.
Decision grating industry status to sports could not be taken immediately as it is a state subject, he said.
The Mizos are sports loving people and football is their favourite.
Royte said the move will promote sports as it will open investments from abroad besides the country.
It will also benefit sports persons as there will be more incentives and subsidies in various sports disciplines, he added.
Royte, who also holds tourism portfolio, said that the state government had earlier recognized tourism as industry so as to include investors in the field.
According to an official, the meeting of council of ministers chaired by chief minister Zoramthanga also approved “proposal on economy measures to be adopted by the government of Mizoram in the wake of COVID-19,” which focuses mainly on austerity measure to fight back economic slowdown caused by the outbreak of novel coronavirus.
Among others, the cabinet also approved “Draft Mizoram government employees (Counting of Past Service) Rules, 2020,” “Mizoram Goods & Services Tax (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020” and “Proposal for allotment of land for construction of Mizoram Upa Pawl (MUP) at Khawzawl by curving out an area from land allotted the power and electricity department,” he said.