Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently inaugurated six modern indoor cricket academies in North-East India to enhance the region’s sporting infrastructure. Developed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), these facilities were virtually unveiled during an event in Gangtok. The academies, situated in Rangpo, Doimukh, Imphal, Madankurklang, Aizawl, and Dimapur, form a comprehensive cricket network across the North-East.
The inauguration ceremony, attended by Jay Shah and BCCI officials, marked a significant milestone for the region. Conceptualized by Shah during his tenure as BCCI Secretary, the project’s foundation stone was laid in May 2024. These high-performance centers feature indoor practice pitches, advanced gyms, temperature-controlled pools, and specialized training and administrative areas, enabling year-round training and reducing the necessity for players to travel outside the region, especially during the monsoon season.
BCCI President Mithun Manhas expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Modi for inaugurating these facilities, emphasizing the initiative’s role in enhancing cricket infrastructure nationwide. Secretary Devajit Saikia hailed the development as a landmark moment for the North-East, thanking both the Prime Minister and ICC Chair Jay Shah for their vision in initiating the project. The establishment of these academies is expected to elevate the region’s cricketers to higher levels of the sport, providing them with consistent training opportunities throughout the year.
Vice President Rajeev Shukla highlighted the long-term benefits of these academies, foreseeing steady growth in the region’s cricketing talent. Emphasizing grassroots development, Joint Secretary Prabhtej Bhatia underscored the significance of investing in infrastructure and access at the foundational level to nurture future generations of cricketers from the North-East.
