Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated six indoor cricket academies across the Northeast, a major infrastructure push by the Board of Control for Cricket in India. The move is part of a wider plan to expand the game’s reach in the region and provide access to high-performance facilities. It also marks a move towards a more decentralized cricket structure beyond the traditional centres.
The academies were launched virtually during an event in Gangtok, with the project conceptualized during Jay Shah’s tenure as BCCI secretary. The aim is to create an interconnected network of training centers across the North East, reducing reliance on a single hub.
Six academies. One vision.
Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi @narendramodi inaugurates BCCI Indoor Cricket Academies in the North East, expanding access to high quality training and opportunities.
ICC Chairman and former BCCI Secretary Mr. Jay Shah attended the ceremony pic.twitter.com/EI6yxtRnz5– BCCI (@BCCI) April 28, 2026
WHERE ARE THESE ACADEMIES?
- Rangpo, Sikkim
- Doimukh, Arunachal Pradesh
- Imphal, Manipur
- Madankurklang, Meghalaya
- Aizawl, Mizoram
- Dimapur, Nagaland
BCCI MOVES BEYOND ONE CENTER
For a long time, Guwahati has been the main cricketing base in the North East. While it continues to hold that position, BCCI’s latest move indicates a clear shift towards expanding the infrastructure to more states.
The presence of academies at six different locations is expected to ease access for players, many of whom previously had to travel to Guwahati or outside the region for better facilities.
WHY ARE THESE ACADEMIES INDOOR?
One of the key aspects of these academies is their internal organization. The extended monsoon season in the Northeast has often disrupted outdoor training and affected player development.
With covered training areas and integrated support facilities, the new centers are designed to operate all year round. This reduces weather-related interruptions and allows players to maintain consistent training schedules.
WHAT IS BCCI’S PLAN FOR NORTHEAST?
The initiative was launched during Jay Shah’s tenure as BCCI secretary, who launched the project in May 2024. It followed the inclusion of North-Eastern teams in India’s domestic cricket structure, which highlighted the need for parallel infrastructure development.
“This initiative reflects a clear intention to take cricket infrastructure to every region and build a stronger, more inclusive foundation for the game,” BCCI President Mithun Manhas said.
“This is a significant opportunity for the North East. The facilities will ensure that training continues throughout the year and give the players the consistency they need to develop their game,” BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia added.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE REGION
The launch of these academies is expected to boost the cricket ecosystem in the North East. It addresses a long-standing infrastructure gap and provides an avenue for talent development in the region.
– The end
Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
28 Apr 2026 18:36 IST
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