Kolkata: Indian women’s hockey international Lalremsiami became the first athlete from Mizoram to be selected for the prestigious Arjuna Award after the list for 2025 was unveiled by the sports ministry on Tuesday.Having made her senior debut in 2017, the 26-year-old has been a mainstay of the national team, playing a pivotal role in major tournaments, including India’s fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympics under coach Sjoerd Marijne. She was also named FIH Rising Star of the Year in 2019.As recently as the Nations Cup in June, Siami produced a player-of-the-match performance in the final as India beat New Zealand. She will have to continue her good form if India are to make a deep run at the ongoing World Cup.Perhaps happiest to see Lalremsiami selected for the Arjuna was her long-time coach, Miss B’tei, who trained her during her early days at SAI Training Centre in Thenzawl.“I identified her potential and believed that she would one day represent the country. She is a very hardworking and dedicated athlete, I am extremely proud of her performance on such a big world stage,” coach B’tei told TOI.“Now, she will become an inspiration for the younger generation. Seeing Siami receive this award will make children believe that they too can achieve great things. It will give them tremendous encouragement and determination to pursue their dreams,” she added.Siami’s rise to the national team has already made a difference in football-mad Mizoram, with several youngsters taking up hockey and subsequently making their way to National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs) across the country in recent years.Lalthantluangi recently became the third player from the state to make the women’s national team and is currently part of India’s World Cup squad.Mizoram sports minister Lalnghinglova Hmar believes even better days are in store for the sport following Lalremsiami’s historic honour.“This recognition will undoubtedly inspire many Mizo boys and girls to take up sport, dream big and aim for greater achievements. Siami is a role model both on and off the pitch, and an inspiration to countless young Mizos. Heartiest congratulations to Lalremsiami and the entire hockey fraternity of Mizoram. This is a proud moment for all of us,” Hmar told TOI.The Mizoram government has already identified hockey as one of the priority sports under its Empowering Mizoram Sports scheme, and Hmar believes Lalremsiami’s achievement will further promote the game in the state.For now, however, celebrations will have to wait for Lalremsiami. With India’s World Cup campaign underway, there is perhaps nothing she would like more than to make her mark on the biggest stage.