Reported by Roopak Goswami
Guwahati: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 28 inaugurated six indoor cricket academies across Northeast India, marking a major push to strengthen sports infrastructure in the region.
The facilities, developed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), were virtually launched during a state function in Gangtok. The academies are located in Rangpo in Sikkim, Doimukh in Arunachal Pradesh, Imphal in Manipur, Madankurklang in Meghalaya, Aizawl in Mizoram, and Dimapur in Nagaland.
Described as a first-of-its-kind pan-Northeast cricketing network, the academies aim to provide high-performance training facilities closer to home for aspiring cricketers in the region.
Each centre is equipped with indoor practice pitches, modern gymnasiums, temperature-controlled swimming pools, and dedicated training infrastructure, enabling year-round practice despite the region’s long monsoon season.
The project was initiated during the tenure of Jay Shah as BCCI Secretary, with foundation stones laid in May 2024. Shah, now Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), attended the inauguration along with senior BCCI officials.
BCCI office bearers termed the development a “red-letter day” for the Northeast, noting that the academies will reduce the need for players to travel outside the region for professional training and help create a stronger talent pipeline.
Officials said the move builds on the inclusion of Northeastern states in India’s domestic cricket structure and is expected to improve talent identification and competitive exposure in the coming years.
With structured facilities now in place across all seven states, the focus will now shift to coaching, fitness development, and creating pathways for players from the region to progress to national and international levels.