The National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and the Mizoram State Sports Council (MSSC) on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for the construction of an Archery Academy at Lengpui in Mamit district at a cost of ₹13.28 crore.
The MoA was signed at the office of Sports Minister Lalnghinglova Hmar at around 1.30 pm. The project is being undertaken under the Mizoram government’s Empowering Mizoram Sports initiative and will be fully funded through NTPC’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) fund, without any financial contribution from the state government.
Hmar described the agreement as a significant step towards developing sports infrastructure in Mizoram. He said the state government’s vision was to produce more athletes for the 2036 Olympic Games, adding that developing sporting talent required adequate infrastructure and training facilities.
“Funding is only the beginning. We must make every effort to establish a quality academy,” Hmar said, adding that Mizoram hoped to contribute to India’s sporting achievements and the country’s Olympic aspirations.
He also highlighted Mizoram’s record in archery, noting that one of the state’s two Olympians had been an archer. He expressed hope that the new academy, with NTPC’s support, would help produce another Olympic-level archer from Mizoram.
Amit Kumar Asthana, Additional General Manager and Head of HR, NTPC Bongaigaon, said the corporation was encouraged by the Mizoram government’s approach to sports development. He said the ₹13.28-crore project was the largest sports-related CSR contribution made by NTPC in the Northeast so far.
According to Henry C. Lalrawnkima, Secretary of the MSSC, the academy will be built on 28,864 square metres and is scheduled to be completed within 36 months.
The project will include an archery range with a 70-metre shooting lane, an academic building, hostel, gallery and pavilion for spectators, approach roads, fencing, lighting, equipment and a gymnasium.
The Archery Association of Mizoram also welcomed the project, with its president, V. Lalzawmliana, saying Mizoram’s history of producing an Olympian in archery demonstrated the state’s potential in the discipline.
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