Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Video)
NEW DELHI: Narendra Modi on Tuesday virtually inaugurated a network of indoor cricket academies in six northeastern states, marking a major push to boost sports infrastructure and grassroots development in the region.Launching the facilities from Gangtok, the Prime Minister unveiled state-of-the-art boarding academies in Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland. These projects, supported by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), aim to provide uninterrupted training facilities despite the long monsoon season in the region.A ‘historic moment’ for cricket in ManipurAt the Luangbukpa Cricket Ground in Imphal, the Manipur Cricket Association’s Indoor Academy stands out as a flagship facility.
Equipped with three practice courts, a gymnasium, administrative offices and a swimming pool, it is designed to support high-performance training throughout the year.Terming it a “historic moment”, Manipur Cricket Association secretary Laeringam Jeetranjan Singh said the academy would change the cricketing landscape in the state. “This world-class facility will allow our players to train throughout the year, especially during the rainy season, without having to travel abroad,” he told IANS.
He added that the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry will bear the maintenance and operation costs for the next two years. “Manipur reached five domestic finals in 2025 and won two U-19 titles. All our players are homegrown talents who have been groomed over the years,” Singh said, highlighting the recent success.
Arunachal facility ‘historic day’In Arunachal Pradesh, President Nabam Vivek hailed the in-house academy at Doymukh – jointly developed with the Arunachal Cricket Association – as a “historic day”.
He said: “It will be a turning point, especially since the monsoon here lasts for six to seven months,” stressing the necessity of having stadiums to host local competitions.Senior player Tichi Doria echoed these sentiments, highlighting the long-term challenges. “Previously, training during the rainy season was difficult. Now, such problems will be avoided,” he said, adding that the facility will motivate the players to train continuously.Strengthening the sports ecosystem in the NortheastAddressing the event, Modi emphasized that such infrastructure would “nurture local talent, provide better training opportunities and strengthen the growing sports ecosystem in the Northeast”.The Prime Minister, who is currently on an official visit to Gangtok, also launched several development projects earlier in the day, underscoring the Centre’s focus on expanding sports capabilities and infrastructure across the region.
