Union Minister Reviews Youth and Sports Development in Mizoram
Minister's Visit to Mizoram
During her official trip to Mizoram on September 15-16, 2026, Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Raksha Khadse, led district-level review meetings in Saitual and Kolasib, as reported by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
Key Development Areas Discussed
The meetings focused on various development priorities, including the execution of Central Government initiatives, sports infrastructure, youth involvement, agriculture, connectivity, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities.
Substance Abuse Prevention Initiatives
In Saitual, the review meeting included District Collector Shriniwas Sadi, Superintendent of Police Vivek Kumar Maurya, senior officials, and representatives from sports federations and community organizations. A significant topic was the prevention of substance abuse among youth. Khadse highlighted the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan and urged enhanced collaboration among youth groups, community organizations, and law enforcement to combat this issue.
Agricultural Development Focus
The meeting also assessed the agricultural and horticultural potential of the district, stressing the need for better market access for Mizoram's organic products to help local farmers reach broader markets.
Sports Infrastructure and Athlete Development
Local sports federations brought attention to the essential requirements for sports infrastructure and athlete development. Khadse underscored that infrastructure should be paired with regular coaching and structured training to support young athletes in advancing to higher competition levels. She also pointed out the Khelo India Scheme's role in enhancing grassroots sporting opportunities.
Kolasib Review Meeting Highlights
In Kolasib, Khadse chaired another review meeting attended by District Collector H Dolianbuaia, Superintendent of Police Pu Lalrinpuia Varte, and senior administrative officials. The discussions revealed that improving road connectivity is a priority to enhance access to markets and essential services for local communities.
Healthcare and Agricultural Support
The Minister evaluated the operations of the district's Community Health Centre and five Primary Health Centres, focusing on optimizing the use of existing healthcare resources. Agriculture was also a key topic, particularly the Krishi Vigyan Kendra's role in assisting farmers. Kolasib boasts over 10,000 active farmers, with the KVK providing technical support to more than 5,000 growers.
Cooperative Sector and Employment Generation
The review included discussions on the cooperative sector, which comprises 102 active cooperatives primarily focused on agriculture, and the Janaushadhi Kendra, emphasizing their potential to enhance local livelihoods. Khadse also assessed the implementation of the Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) in the district, addressing issues related to portal access that had hindered sanctions in 2025-26.
Public Distribution and Sports Development
While reviewing the Public Distribution System and Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, Khadse instructed officials to rectify beneficiary data gaps to ensure all eligible households receive benefits. Sports were a significant focus in Kolasib, with football, hockey, and wrestling highlighted as key disciplines. Local athletes are competing in national football leagues, and the district has produced a national-level hockey player.
Need for Training Facilities
The necessity for a dedicated training center was discussed to provide structured coaching and training for local athletes. Khadse also reviewed sports infrastructure under the VB-GRAM-G initiative, which includes developing football and volleyball grounds across the district's 51 villages.
Youth Mobilization and Community Engagement
Discussions also covered youth mobilization and substance abuse prevention, with the Superintendent of Police updating the Minister on the district's Nasha Mukt initiatives. Khadse emphasized the importance of directing youth energy towards sports, education, and community service, advocating for increased awareness activities in schools.
Conclusion of District Reviews
Throughout both district reviews, Khadse reiterated that the youth of India are vital to the nation's development and that their potential must be harnessed for sports, education, and entrepreneurship. She called for improved grassroots sporting ecosystems in regions like Mizoram, ensuring access to facilities, quality coaching, and support systems.
Final Remarks
Khadse concluded by stressing that effective implementation of government programs requires accurate data and strong inter-departmental coordination, ensuring that Central Government schemes lead to real opportunities and better outcomes for beneficiaries at the grassroots level.