PM Modi inaugurates indoor cricket academies across 6 Northeast states
Synopsis
PM Modi's virtual inauguration of indoor cricket academies across six northeastern states addresses one of the region's most persistent sporting barriers — a monsoon season lasting up to seven months that forces players to halt training or travel out of state. With BCCI funding maintenance for two years and world-class facilities now in place, the Northeast's cricketing ambitions have a concrete new foundation.
Key Takeaways
PM Modi virtually inaugurated indoor cricket academies in six northeastern states on 28 April : Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Nagaland.
Each academy features three indoor pitches , a gym, administrative office, and a heated swimming pool.
BCCI will cover maintenance and operational costs for the next two years .
Manipur reached the finals in five BCCI domestic tournaments in the 2025 season and won two Under-19 titles .
Arunachal Pradesh currently hosts home matches in other states due to lack of local stadiums; ARCA is pursuing BCCI for dedicated cricket grounds.
The monsoon lasts six to seven months in the Northeast, making indoor facilities critical for uninterrupted player development.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 28 April virtually inaugurated state-of-the-art indoor cricket academies across six northeastern states — Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Nagaland — in a move that cricket associations say will transform year-round training in a region where the monsoon disrupts play for up to six to seven months annually. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to bear maintenance and operational expenses for the next two years.
What the Academies Offer
Each facility is described as world-class, equipped with three indoor pitches, a gymnasium, an administrative office, and a heated swimming pool. The infrastructure is designed to enable coaching camps, skill-development sessions, and training to continue uninterrupted throughout the year, regardless of weather conditions.
Manipur Cricket Association (MNCA) Secretary Lairenjam Geetranjan Singh called the inauguration a
Point of View
But the harder question is what comes after the two-year BCCI maintenance window closes. Northeastern cricket associations have long operated on thin budgets, and without a sustainable funding model, world-class infrastructure risks underutilisation. Arunachal Pradesh's admission that it still hosts home matches outside the state also underscores a deeper gap: indoor academies develop players, but without proper match-grade stadiums, the pathway to domestic competition remains incomplete. The real test of this investment will be whether it produces players who break into the national reckoning — not just state-level titles.
NationPress
3 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which states received indoor cricket academies inaugurated by PM Modi?
PM Modi virtually inaugurated indoor cricket academies in six northeastern states on 28 April: Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Nagaland. The facilities are designed to enable year-round training despite the region's extended monsoon season.
What facilities are available at the new indoor cricket academies?
Each academy is equipped with three indoor pitches, a gymnasium, an administrative office, and a heated swimming pool. The BCCI will cover maintenance and operational expenses for the next two years.
Why are indoor cricket academies important for Northeast India?
The monsoon season in the Northeast lasts six to seven months, making outdoor training difficult and forcing players to travel to other states for coaching. Indoor academies allow uninterrupted skill development throughout the year, reducing both disruption and expenditure.
How has Manipur cricket performed in recent domestic tournaments?
According to MNCA Secretary Lairenjam Geetranjan Singh, Manipur reached the finals in five BCCI domestic tournaments during the 2025 season and won two titles in the Under-19 categories, with all players being locally groomed.
What is Arunachal Pradesh's current challenge regarding cricket infrastructure?
Arunachal Pradesh currently lacks its own cricket stadiums and is forced to host even home matches in other states. The Arunachal Cricket Association is pursuing the BCCI to construct stadiums that could host domestic tournaments such as the Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy.
