New Delhi: The talented boxers from the Northeast are likely to play their bout in the world-famous Las Vegas boxing clubs as the Mizoram government has initiated the move to link up the Las Vegas professional boxing with Mizoram. "I encourage professional boxing. In fact, we are planning to link up Las Vegas professional boxing with Mizoram," said Robert Romawia Royte, Sports and Tourism Minister of Mizoram in an exclusive interview with ETV Bharat. Playing boxing in Las Vegas clubs is a dream for every boxer. Almost every other sport has homes—places of import around the country and even the globe. Likewise in boxing, there's Las Vegas.
What has further inspired the Mizoram sports ministry to dream big is the fact that a 21-year old Mizo boxer Lalrinsanga Tlau has achieved the World Boxing Council (WBC) Youth World Super Featherweight title in an eight-round contest. The bout held in Aizawl in March was sanctioned by WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman and was conducted under the technical supervision of the Indian Boxing Council (IBC). Lalrinsanga defeated Ghana's Eric Quarm to claim the title. Royte said that Mizoram contributes 20 per cent of the Indian professional boxers.
The promotion of boxing is, however, not the only aim for the government of Mizoram. The State Government has promoted sports as an industry. "Earlier, the central government was talking about making sports an industry. But Mizoram is a pioneer in this regard, as we have already announced sports as an industry. At present, we are pursuing externally aired projects to promote the sports industry," said Royte.
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He explained that the state government has already sanctioned mega sports infrastructure projects. "A sum of Rs 440 crore has already been funded from Khelo India and other Central Ministries for setting up mega sports infrastructural projects. We are also expecting bigger projects from an externally aided project under Finance Ministry," Royte said. Under the mega sports infrastructure projects, there will be football grounds, stadiums, sports schools etc.
Royte said that many domestic and international companies have shown interest in investing in the sports industry in Mizoram. "The sports entrepreneurs can also apply for subsidy...," said Royte. He said that Asian Development Bank (ADB) has also shown interest to promote the Sports industry of Mizoram.
"In one of our meetings, ADB officials have already praised our initiatives and promised to sanction grants for sports promotion," Royte added. What has inspired Royte to promote Sports in Mizoram is the fact that the State has already produced several renowned players in all spheres. Whether it is football, hockey, boxing, archery and other verticals of sports, the State has represented India almost in all sports.
In the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, 21 years old Lalremsiami Hmar is the first girl from Mizoram who played as a forward for the Indian women hockey squad. Lalremsiami was also a part of the 18-members squad that represented India at the 2018 women's hockey World Cup. "We are the top State which has provided several renowned football players. We are also promoting cricket. In fact, Mizoram Cricket Association (MCA) has already been affiliated to BCCI," said Royte
