Aizawl: Dhyan Chand Awardee C Lalremsanga said that Mizoram needs world-class facilities to aid potential sports persons from the state to excel on national and international levels.
Having represented India at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and 1996 Atlanta Olympics, the ace archer was recently bestowed with the prestigious Dhyan Chand Award on National Sports Day by the President at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.
In an exclusive interview with EastMojo, the Mizo archer spoke about the esteemed award, which has come his way after representing India for a decade, from 1992 to 2002.
Lalremsanga said, “It is disappointing and disheartening that although I represented India for over ten years, I was never recognised for my contribution in the discipline throughout my career. But I am glad that I am finally recognised for the award after nominating myself.”
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On the scenario of sports in the state, he said, Mizo youths have immense talents in various sports discipline but they lack proper training facilities. “Our current state prevents us from excelling at the national and international levels. Our state requires a proper training centre equipped with all the instruments that the sport discipline requires,” he added.
He also advised Mizo youths to have immense self-discipline and perseverance in various sports discipline.
From 1994 to 2001, Lalremsanga also held the top position in Indian archery. He participated at the 1994 Asian Games in Hiroshima and at the first Commonwealth Championships held in New Delhi in 1995.
He trained at Tata Archery Academy, he won a gold and two bronze at the 2009 Santo Domingo World Cup Stage 1. He also coached at the academy for a few years.
On April 23, 2004, he joined the Mizoram Sports department as a grade 1 coach, and is currently the deputy director at the Directorate of Sports and Youth Services, Mizoram.