New Delhi, May 24, 2025, Virthli (ONP): Mizoram’s Minister of State for Sports and Youth Services, Pu Lalnghinglova Hmar, highlighted the immense potential of Northeast India - particularly Mizoram in the sports and entertainment sectors during the Rising Northeast Investors Summit 2025, held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
Organised by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), the summit was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and attended by several key dignitaries, including Mizoram Chief Minister Pu Lalduhoma. The summit aimed to attract investors from across India and abroad to explore untapped opportunities in the region.
Speaking during the session titled “Unleashing the Potential of Entertainment and Sports in Northeast”, Minister Hmar emphasized that despite its relatively small population and geographic size, Northeast India has consistently produced top talent in both sports and entertainment. He cited that although the region comprises only about 3% of India’s population, Northeastern athletes made up nearly 7% of the Indian contingent at the 2016 Rio Olympics. In the latest Indian Super League season, approximately 10% of players were from Mizoram alone.
Reiterating Mizoram's ambition to contribute significantly to India’s Olympic dreams, Hmar announced that the state is preparing to host India’s first National-level Sports Conclave in Aizawl this June as part of its Olympic Vision 2036 strategy. “Mizoram has the infrastructure, the talent, and the drive to shape the future of Indian sports,” he said, calling on investors to support this vision.
On the entertainment front, Hmar noted the region’s vibrant music culture, referencing renowned events like the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland and the Ziro Festival in Arunachal Pradesh. He called for greater investment to globally promote Northeastern music and film, stating that even a single well-made film could significantly boost tourism and the state’s image.
Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, also addressed the gathering, stressing the critical role sports and entertainment play in the development of the region. He pointed out government efforts like the Khelo India Northeast Games and emphasized the need for partnerships with corporate entities to drive growth.
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Veteran Indian footballer Bhaichung Bhutia and several industry experts also participated in the session, discussing strategies to enhance the sports and entertainment landscape of the Northeast.
Minister Hmar later visited the Mizoram exhibition stall and engaged with entrepreneurs from four startups - Lailen Consulting Pvt. Ltd., Indubitably Cultured, Fungki, and Suzanne Delish Delight Pvt. Ltd. - all of which showcased innovation and enterprise from the state.
