Our Bureau
Gangtok
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday virtually inaugurated six state-of-the-art indoor cricket academies across Northeast India, marking a major boost for cricket infrastructure in the region. The inauguration ceremony was held in Gangtok, Sikkim.
The academies, developed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), are located in Rangpo (Sikkim), Doimukh (Arunachal Pradesh), Imphal (Manipur), Madankurklang (Meghalaya), Aizawl (Mizoram), and Dimapur (Nagaland). Together, these facilities form a high-performance training network aimed at making quality cricket infrastructure accessible to young players across all six Northeastern states.
This project was conceptualised and driven by the BCCI under the leadership of Jay Shah, who is now the ICC Chairman and served as BCCI Secretary during its initiation. The foundation stone for these academies was laid by Shah in May 2024. The BCCI stated the initiative has a clear focus on strengthening cricketing ecosystems in emerging regions.
The academies are designed as high-performance centres equipped with indoor practice pitches, high-tech gymnasiums, temperature-controlled swimming pools, and dedicated administrative and training blocks. This infrastructure will allow players to train year-round, especially during the region’s prolonged monsoon season when outdoor practice is difficult.
The move expands training access beyond Guwahati and represents a shift toward a more decentralised cricketing structure beyond traditional centres. ICC Chairman Jay Shah attended the virtual inauguration ceremony.
Manipur Cricket Association secretary Lairenjam Geetranjan Singh called it a “historic moment,” saying the academy at Luwangpokpa Cricket Stadium in Imphal will transform the state’s cricketing landscape. The facility at Imphal includes three practice pitches, a gymnasium, and administrative offices.
This infrastructure push aims to widen the talent base and support continuous player development across Northeast India.
