Assam to Establish High-Performance Sports Centre in Guwahati
New Sports Initiative in Assam
Guwahati (Assam) [India], January 15: The Government of Assam's Directorate of Sports & Youth Welfare (DSYW) has teamed up with the Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) to launch a High-Performance Satellite Sports Centre in Guwahati. This initiative represents a significant advancement in creating a structured elite sports framework for the state and the broader North-East region.
The centre will focus on enhancing performance in seven key sports: Athletics, Archery, Taekwondo, Table Tennis, Lawn Tennis, Chess, and Swimming. It aims to prioritize athlete identification, coaching development, and establishing long-term performance pathways that align with India's Olympic goals.
As part of this initiative, Athletics, Archery, and Taekwondo will receive support from IIS, which will introduce internationally recognized training systems and global expertise into Assam's sports landscape. The programs are designed to discover promising athletes and foster a robust coaching ecosystem within the state.
Nandita Gorlosa, the Minister of Sports and Youth Welfare for Assam, commented on the initiative, stating, “Assam is rich in talent, especially in its rural and tribal areas. Our collaboration with the Inspire Institute of Sport will bring world-class coaching and high-performance systems to the state, enhancing our infrastructure and outreach. This partnership will create structured pathways for athletes and coaches to advance to national and international levels, positioning Assam as a high-performance sports hub in the North-East and contributing to India's Olympic aspirations.”
The Athletics program will kick off with a comprehensive Assam State Coaches Orientation and Development initiative, which will utilize both in-person and hybrid learning formats to enhance the skills of district-level coaches based on internationally recognized World Athletics standards, with support from senior IIS experts. This will be followed by a targeted talent identification program aimed at nurturing young athletic talent throughout the state.
The Taekwondo and Archery programs at the Guwahati centre will further enhance Assam's high-performance sports ecosystem, featuring talent identification camps and advanced masterclasses that will unite athletes and coaches from across the North-East under the mentorship of global and Olympic-level experts.
Taekwondo is anticipated to establish Assam as a regional hub for combat sports, providing clear pathways into national high-performance systems. Meanwhile, the Archery program will focus on identifying and nurturing young talent, particularly among girls from tribal and rural backgrounds, promoting inclusion and long-term medal potential.
Manisha Malhotra, President of the Inspire Institute of Sport, remarked, “At the Inspire Institute of Sport, we are dedicated to promoting excellence through structured high-performance systems. In partnership with DSYW Assam, we are introducing Olympic-level coaching, advanced sports science, and effective development frameworks into the state. This satellite centre is intended to elevate standards for athletes and coaches, create clear pathways to elite performance, and establish a sustainable pipeline rooted in Assam's talent while adhering to global best practices.”
With programs set to roll out across Guwahati and other areas in Assam in the coming months, the satellite centre is expected to significantly enhance the state's sporting identity, strengthen regional talent pipelines, and contribute positively to India's Olympic future.