Modi inaugurates six indoor cricket academies across North-East, targets year-round training
Synopsis
Modi's cricket academy push in the North-East isn't just about infrastructure—it's about breaking the geography of talent. With year-round training now possible in six hubs across Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Nagaland, the region's young cricketers no longer have to leave home to chase elite-level facilities. This could reshape where India's next generation of players emerges from.
Key Takeaways
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated six indoor cricket academies across the North-East on Tuesday.
Facilities located in Rangpo (Sikkim) , Doimukh (Arunachal Pradesh) , Imphal (Manipur) , Madankurklang (Meghalaya) , Aizawl (Mizoram) , and Dimapur (Nagaland) .
Each academy includes indoor pitches, high-tech gyms, temperature-controlled pools, and training spaces.
Project conceived by Jay Shah during his time as BCCI Secretary ; foundation stone laid in May 2024 .
Year-round training capability eliminates monsoon season disruptions and reduces need for regional players to relocate.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated six state-of-the-art indoor cricket academies spanning the North-East region, marking a significant infrastructure push to develop cricket talent outside India's metropolitan centres. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) facilities were unveiled virtually during a state event in Gangtok, with Jay Shah, BCCI President Mithun Manhas, and regional administrators joining the ceremony.
Where the academies are located
The six academies are situated in Rangpo (Sikkim), Doimukh (Arunachal Pradesh), Imphal (Manipur), Madankurklang (Meghalaya), Aizawl (Mizoram), and Dimapur (Nagaland). Together, they form a high-performance cricket network designed to reduce regional disparities in training access and infrastructure quality.
What the facilities offer
Each academy features indoor practice pitches, high-tech gymnasiums, temperature-controlled swimming pools, and dedicated training and administrative spaces. The year-round training capability addresses a critical gap: the North-East's extended monsoon season has historically forced young cricketers to relocate for consistent practice. These facilities eliminate that barrier, allowing talent to develop locally without geographic displacement.
The vision behind the project
Jay Shah conceived the initiative during his tenure as BCCI Secretary, with the foundation stone laid in May 2024. BCCI President Mithun Manhas stated:
Point of View
But execution will determine impact. Previous BCCI initiatives in smaller states have struggled with coaching quality and player pipeline linkage. The question is whether these facilities become genuine talent factories or expensive monuments. If BCCI can ensure consistent coaching, competitive exposure through inter-academy tournaments, and clear pathways to domestic cricket, this could genuinely reshape where India's next pace bowlers and batters emerge from. Without that ecosystem, they risk becoming underutilised.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the six new cricket academies located?
The academies are in Rangpo (Sikkim), Doimukh (Arunachal Pradesh), Imphal (Manipur), Madankurklang (Meghalaya), Aizawl (Mizoram), and Dimapur (Nagaland). Together they form a high-performance network across the entire North-East region.
What facilities are available at each academy?
Each academy includes indoor practice pitches, high-tech gymnasiums, temperature-controlled swimming pools, and dedicated training and administrative spaces. This enables year-round training regardless of monsoon disruptions.
Why is year-round training important for North-East cricketers?
The North-East's extended monsoon season has historically disrupted training and forced young players to relocate for consistent practice. These academies eliminate that barrier by allowing athletes to train locally throughout the year.
Who conceived and developed this project?
Jay Shah, during his tenure as BCCI Secretary, conceived the initiative. The foundation stone was laid in May 2024, and the project was executed by the BCCI under the leadership of President Mithun Manhas.
How will these academies impact cricket talent development in the region?
By providing elite-level infrastructure locally, the academies reduce geographic barriers to talent development. Players no longer need to leave the region for quality training, enabling consistent skill development and creating pathways to higher levels of competitive cricket.
