On May 23, 2020, Mizoram sports minister Robert Romawia Royte informed that the state cabinet has cleared the proposal of the Sports and Youth Service department to grant sports an industry status to boost the sports sector, generate employment, increase value of sports & to attract private companies to invest in sports which will benefit in terms of subsidy, loans and concessions. It becomes the 1st state to do so.
Key Points
i.The industry status will help to meet the requirements of sportspersons and others involved in the sector & will ensure sustainability, proper registration and management of sports.
ii.By this status the sports and its infrastructure will be eligible for availing of subsidy, loan and assistance from private and government sources. Corporate and private firms will have interests in supporting sports
iii.It is a significant step forward in a more systematic and sustainable manner. The government also has a plan to construct an ”elevated” football ground in Mizoram.
iv.The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry and other industry bodies have shown interest in the decision.
Background- The idea was 1st proposed in 2019 as part of the state sports policy
Major Highlights of Mizoram’s sports
- It has a pool of footballers playing for premier clubs across the country & also has done well in hockey and weightlifting in recent years.
- Apart from these the other indigenous games in the state are stick fighting, Insuknawra (rod pushing), Kalchhet Kal (relay race using bamboo), Inarpathai (cock fighting)
- At least 150 Mizo players are part of the Indian Super League, one of the top premier football leagues in India.
Other recognition & approvals of Mizoram
i.The state recognised tourism as an industry in 2019 to include investors in the field
ii.The council of ministers chaired by chief minister Zoramthanga approved the “proposal on economy measures to be adopted by the government of Mizoram in the wake of COVID-19,” which primarily focus on rigorous measures to fight back economic slowdown caused by a coronavirus outbreak.
iii.Notably 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 carving out an area from land allotted to the power and electricity department”
About Mizoram:
Capital– Aizawl
Governor– PS Sreedharan Pillai
National Parks(NP)– Murlen NP, Champhai; Phawngpui National Park, Lawngtlai
Tiger Reserve– Dampa Tiger Reserve, Mamit
Wildlife Sanctuaries(WS)– Ngengpui WS, Lawngtlai; Khawnglung WS,Lunglei; Lengteng WS, Champhai; Tawi WS, Aizawl; Thorangtlang WS, Lunglei; Pualreng WS, Kolasib; Tokalo WS, Saiha.
