New Indoor Cricket Academies Open in North-East India to Boost Local Talent

Inauguration of State-of-the-Art Cricket Facilities

Gangtok (Sikkim) [India], April 28: The Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Devajit Saikia, celebrated the launch of six advanced Indoor Cricket Academies across North-East India, calling it a "red-letter day" for the region, as per a release from the BCCI.

During a state event in Gangtok, Sikkim, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated these facilities virtually, marking a pivotal advancement in sports infrastructure aimed at harnessing the vast sporting potential of the North-East.

The ceremony was attended by prominent figures including Jay Shah, Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and former BCCI Secretary, along with other senior BCCI officials such as President Mithun Manhas, Secretary Devajit Saikia, Vice President Rajeev Shukla, Joint Secretary Prabhtej Bhatia, Treasurer A. Raghuram Bhat, and IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal.

Saikia expressed gratitude to Modi and Shah, emphasizing that these academies will facilitate year-round training, enhance player development, and create more pathways for local cricketers to excel.

He remarked, "This is a significant occasion for the entire North-East, and I extend my thanks to PM Narendra Modi for inaugurating these facilities. I also appreciate ICC Chair Jay Shah for his vision in initiating this project back in 2022. This development will greatly benefit cricketers in the region, allowing them to train consistently and improve their skills, ultimately leading to more players reaching elite levels of the sport."

These academies, established by the BCCI, are situated in Rangpo (Sikkim), Doimukh (Arunachal Pradesh), Imphal (Manipur), Madankurklang (Meghalaya), Aizawl (Mizoram), and Dimapur (Nagaland). They represent the first comprehensive high-performance cricketing network across the North-East, ensuring that quality training facilities are accessible throughout the region.

Alongside Jay Shah and BCCI officials, administrators from the other five North-Eastern states participated in the event via video conference.

This initiative was conceptualized and propelled by the BCCI under Jay Shah's leadership during his tenure as Secretary, focusing on enhancing cricketing frameworks in emerging areas.

The foundation for these academies was laid by Shah in May 2024, marking the beginning of a structured effort to develop world-class cricket infrastructure in the North-East.

Designed as high-performance centers, the academies feature indoor practice pitches, advanced gym facilities, temperature-controlled swimming pools, and dedicated training and administrative blocks. These amenities will support year-round training, particularly addressing the challenges posed by the region's lengthy monsoon seasons, and significantly reduce the necessity for players to travel elsewhere for professional training.

The academies also signify a crucial milestone following the inclusion of North-Eastern states in India's domestic cricket framework, reinforcing the BCCI's commitment to growth, talent identification, and athlete-centric development.

BCCI President Mithun Manhas expressed gratitude to PM Modi for inaugurating the facilities, stating that this initiative aims to enhance cricket infrastructure nationwide and ensure that players in the North-East have access to high-quality training resources similar to those available in other parts of the country.

"We are thankful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for inaugurating these facilities. This initiative demonstrates a clear intent to extend cricket infrastructure to every region and build a stronger, more inclusive foundation for the sport. It is also a significant step in ensuring that aspiring cricketers from the North-East have access to the same quality of facilities as their counterparts elsewhere in the country," he said.

BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla noted that the new academies will provide structure and opportunities in the North-East, promoting long-term growth. He emphasized the importance of offering players competitive exposure and clear pathways to succeed at the highest levels.

"These academies introduce structure and opportunity to a region with immense potential. With a high-performance environment now established across the North-East, we anticipate steady and sustained growth in the coming years. The focus will be on creating competitive exposure and pathways that allow this talent to thrive at the highest levels," he stated.

Prabhtej Bhatia, Joint Secretary of the BCCI, remarked, "This initiative is about establishing a long-term system and process. By investing in infrastructure and access at the grassroots level, we are laying the foundation for future generations of cricketers from the North-East. Equally important is the ecosystem surrounding these facilities, which will support coaching, fitness, and overall player development."

A. Raghuram Bhat, Treasurer of the BCCI, affirmed the organization's commitment to expanding cricket infrastructure across the nation. He stated, "These academies are a vital step in strengthening the talent pipeline and ensuring that opportunities are available to players regardless of their geographical location. Ongoing investment in such initiatives will be crucial for maintaining the depth and competitiveness of Indian cricket in the future."