Modi inaugurates six indoor academies in North-East
Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated six indoor cricket academies across the North-East, a project developed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India. The launch was done virtually from Gangtok.
The facilities are spread across Rangpo (Sikkim), Doimukh (Arunachal Pradesh), Imphal (Manipur), Madankurklang (Meghalaya), Aizawl (Mizoram) and Dimapur (Nagaland). They are designed to provide year-round training in a region where weather often disrupts outdoor cricket.
Push for structured development in emerging regions
The project was initiated during the tenure of Jay Shah as BCCI secretary, with the aim of building a wider base for the sport. The academies include indoor pitches, gyms, swimming pools and training blocks. The idea is to reduce the need for players to travel outside the region for facilities.
Officials said the move follows the inclusion of North-Eastern teams in India’s domestic structure. It is expected to improve access to coaching and fitness support, and create a more stable pathway for players from these states.
Focus shifts to usage and results
BCCI officials present at the event said the next step is to ensure these centres are used effectively. The emphasis will be on regular training programmes, coaching support and competitive exposure.
The North-East has produced limited representation at the top level so far. With better infrastructure now in place, the board expects a gradual rise in participation and performance.
The academies mark a wider attempt to spread cricket infrastructure beyond established centres. Whether that leads to more players reaching higher levels will depend on how these facilities are run over the next few years.