Aizawl: In a significant stride for women’s hockey in India, five promising female hockey players hailing from Mizoram have earned coveted spots in various National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs) under the Sports Authority of India.
The selection of these under-16 girls – Laldinpuii, Vanlarinluii, Lalnulfelli, Loicy Lalthanpuii, and Lalfakwami – marks a pivotal moment for the sport in the northeastern state.
These talented athletes are among a total of 15 hockey players identified as potential future stars for the nation. Their selection follows impressive performances during the 2024-25 season of the ASMITA leagues matches, a platform recognized for nurturing young talent in Indian hockey.
The remaining players chosen for intensive training at the NCOEs include three from Haryana, two each from Jharkhand and Odisha, and one each from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh.
Piyush Dubey, the High Performance Director for Hockey at SAI and Khelo India, emphasized the long-term vision behind this selection, stating that these girls are being groomed with an eye on future Olympic Games. He highlighted the transformative impact of the ASMITA league in scouting talent, noting that it has provided invaluable opportunities to assess numerous players in action, a significant improvement in the Indian hockey ecosystem. Dubey also pointed out that several players who emerged from this league, such as Sunelita Toppo, Sujata Kujur, and Sakshi Rana, are now proudly representing India.
The final phase of the ASMITA sub-junior hockey league witnessed fierce competition among six teams comprising 120 under-16 players. A total of 17 matches were played in the tournament, which boasted a prize purse of ₹15.5 lakh. SAI Shakti emerged as the team champions for the third consecutive time, securing a 2-1 victory over Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy in the final showdown held at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi.
Mizoram’s rapid progress in women’s hockey has been remarkable. The state, traditionally known for its prowess in football and boxing, recently achieved a historic milestone by winning a bronze medal in the senior national women’s hockey championship in Panchkula. Dubey lauded the immense improvement shown by the Mizoram girls over the past five to six years, attributing it to the dedicated coaches at the SAI centre in Thenzawl. Lalrothuami, a former junior India player from 2009, confirmed the growing interest in hockey among young girls in the state, with approximately 40 currently training at the SAI centre.
Mizoram has adopted an innovative approach to attract young talent to hockey, leveraging the popularity of current Indian women’s team player and Tokyo Olympian Lalremsiami in advertisements and social media campaigns to encourage girls to participate in trials. Lalrothuami expressed satisfaction with the response from villages, noting that two junior Indian team members, Lalthantluangi and Lalrinpuii, are themselves products of the ASMITA league, serving as inspiring figures for aspiring players. He conveyed his delight at the selection of five Mizoram girls for NCOE training.
While acknowledging the skills of the players, Lalrothuami emphasized the need for greater competitive exposure and an enhanced training ecosystem for players from Mizoram. He believes that Mizo girls possess notable strength and stamina, and he hopes they will maximize the facilities available at the NCOEs. It is important to note that selection at an NCOE does not guarantee a permanent spot, as players undergo two assessments annually based on physical strength, sports science tests, and skills.
The five talented players from Mizoram have been allocated to different NCOEs across the country: Laldinpuii will train at NCOE Mumbai, Vanlarinluii and Lalnulfelli at NCOE Delhi, and Loicy Lalthanpuii and Lalfakwami at NCOE Kolkata. Their journey represents a beacon of hope and progress for women’s hockey in Mizoram and underscores the growing potential of the region in the national sporting landscape.
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