In a rare sporting initiative, Australian heptathlete and Paris Olympian Tori West recently spent two weeks in Aizawl, imparting high-level training to local athletes. Her visit, which concluded in November, saw her coach approximately 150 athletes at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in the capital of Mizoram.
An Olympian's Perspective on Mizoram's Potential
Speaking exclusively about her experience, West expressed her satisfaction with the progress shown by the participants. "Everyone was grateful, and they learnt a lot. From when I started to the end, there was a lot of improvement," she said. The Olympian emphasized the value of providing practical advice to regional athletes to help them achieve their goals.
However, West was clear-eyed about the challenges. She pointed out that while significant potential exists, unlocking it requires systemic support. "There is potential in that area for good athletes to come through but there needs to be better coaching development and access to facilities to really get the best out of the athletes," West advised. She put the Olympic journey into perspective, noting, "Two weeks is enough to see someone’s capacity to learn but it takes 10 years to make it to the Olympics."
State's Ambition and Structural Initiatives
The state's Sports Minister, Lalnghinglova Hmar, welcomed West's expertise, acknowledging its importance for Mizoram's sporting aspirations. "Mizoram is a state which loves sports but doesn’t know how to go further. So, this kind of expertise coming from an Olympian herself is going to work a lot for the sportspersons of Mizoram," Hmar stated, especially for those aiming for the Olympic stage.
This initiative aligns with the state's Empowering Mizoram Sports (EMS) programme. As part of this project, experts from Tokyo's Nippon Sport Science University are also scheduled to visit Aizawl to train local coaches, indicating a structured approach to sports development.
Road to 2036: West's Advice for India
With India eyeing the hosting rights for the 2036 Olympics, West offered crucial feedback. She advocated for a more pragmatic approach to coaching accreditation to nurture talent effectively. "If someone’s willing to train athletes out of their own time and they’re good enough, they’re a coach. Give them the resources, don’t make them do all this expensive education. It’s not worth it," said the athlete, who is currently preparing for next year's Commonwealth Games.
Beyond coaching, West, who has also developed athlete-monitoring technology to prevent injuries, plans to return to Aizawl next year. Her ambitious goal is to organize a tournament. "I want to invite a lot of athletes to come and run and compete and have proper exposure. I’ve been talking to the officials about putting that on and making that happen," she revealed. Such an event could provide the perfect platform for Mizoram's athletes to showcase their talent on a larger stage, potentially fueling dreams of the 2036 Olympics.
