Aizawl: The Mizoram government has announced a cash reward of Rs 40 lakh each for hockey players Lalremsiami and Lalthantluangi in recognition of their historic gold medal-winning performance at the Asian Games.
The two athletes, who were part of the Indian women’s hockey team that won gold on October 2, received a hero’s welcome in Aizawl on Monday.
Chief Minister Lalduhoma felicitated the players at a function held at the R Dengthuama Indoor Stadium and announced that each would receive Rs 25 lakh under the Mizoram State Incentive Cash Award scheme and another Rs 15 lakh under the state’s Bana Kaih scheme.
Lalduhoma said Lalremsiami and Lalthantluangi had become the first athletes from Mizoram to win medals at the Asian Games, describing it as a historic achievement for the state. He said Mizoram’s medal journey at the continental event had begun with a gold.
The Chief Minister also congratulated the players on their qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games.
He announced that the state government was considering naming a hockey ground after Lalremsiami in recognition of her achievements. The Kolasib Diakkawn GSA playground is being considered for the honour, he said.
Both Lalremsiami and Lalthantluangi trained at the Thenzawl Women Hockey Academy before contributing to India’s Asian Games triumph.
Lalduhoma said their success demonstrated Mizoram’s potential to emerge as a strong hockey hub if athletes receive adequate training, facilities and institutional support.
Highlighting ongoing efforts to strengthen hockey infrastructure, the Chief Minister said the Sports Authority of India had started work on a hockey turf at the Thenzawl Women Hockey Academy at a cost of Rs 6 crore.
A 30-bed hostel is also being constructed at the academy, while the Ministry of Minority Affairs has approved Rs 9.8 crore for a hockey ground at Hnahthial.
Sports Minister Lalnghinglova Hmar described India’s women’s hockey gold at the Asian Games after a 44-year wait as a major achievement. He praised Lalremsiami for bringing recognition to both Mizoram and the country.
Hmar said the government’s Empowering Mizoram Sports programme, launched after the Mizoram Sports Conclave 2024, is being implemented alongside the Bana Kaih-Handholding Scheme to strengthen sports infrastructure and provide structured training and support to athletes.