The BCCI achieved a major milestone in expanding cricket infrastructure with the inauguration of six state-of-the-art Indoor Cricket Academies across North-East India by the Honourable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi.
The Honourable Prime Minister virtually inaugurated these facilities during a state function held in Gangtok, Sikkim, marking a crucial step in strengthening sports infrastructure and unlocking the vast sporting potential of the North-East region.
Developed by the BCCI, the academies are located in Rangpo (Sikkim), Doimukh (Arunachal Pradesh), Imphal (Manipur), Madankurklang (Meghalaya), Aizawl (Mizoram), and Dimapur (Nagaland). Together, they create the first truly pan-North-East high-performance cricket ecosystem, ensuring
quality training infrastructure is well distributed and easily accessible across the region.
Six academies. One vision.
Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi @narendramodi inaugurates BCCI Indoor Cricket Academies across the North-East, expanding access to high-quality training and opportunity.
The ceremony was attended by ICC Chairman and former BCCI Secretary Mr Jay Shah… pic.twitter.com/EI6yxtRnz5
— BCCI (@BCCI) April 28, 2026
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Mr Jay Shah, Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), along with BCCI Office Bearers and senior officials, while administrators from the other five North-Eastern states participated via video conference.
This project was conceptualised and driven by the BCCI under the leadership of Mr Jay Shah during his tenure as Secretary, with a clear emphasis on strengthening cricket ecosystems in emerging regions. The foundation stone for these academies was laid by Mr Shah in May 2024, initiating a structured effort to build world-class cricket infrastructure in the North-East.
Designed as high-performance centres, the academies are equipped with indoor practice pitches, high-tech gymnasiums, temperature-controlled swimming pools, and dedicated administrative and training blocks. These facilities will support year-round training, address challenges posed by prolonged monsoon seasons in the region, and substantially reduce the need for players to travel to other parts of the country for professional training.
The academies also mark an important milestone following the inclusion of North-Eastern states in India’s domestic cricket structure, reaffirming the BCCI’s commitment to growth, talent identification, and athlete-centric development.
BCCI President Mithun Manhas said, “We are grateful to the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for inaugurating these facilities.”
“This initiative reflects a clear intent to take cricket infrastructure to every region and build a stronger, more inclusive foundation for the game,” he added.
“It is also a significant step in ensuring that aspiring cricketers from the North-East have access to the same quality of facilities as anywhere else in the country,” Manhas said.
BCCI Honorary Secretary Devajit Saikia said, “This is a momentous occasion and a red-letter day for the entire North-East, and I thank the Honourable PM Shri Narendra Mojiji for gracing the event and inaugurating the facilities.”
“I thank the ICC Chair Mr Jay Shah, for his vision and for initiating this important project back in 2022. This is a major boost, and the cricketers from the region will benefit immensely as training and preparations will continue throughout the year, giving players the consistency they need to develop their game,” he continued.
“I am confident that this will pave the way for more players from the North-East to progress to the highest levels of the game,” Saikia said.
BCCI Vice President, Rajeev Shukla said, “These academies bring structure and opportunity to a region that has immense potential.”
“With a high-performance environment now in place across the North-East, we expect to see steady and sustained growth in the years ahead,” he continued.
“The focus now will be on creating competitive exposure and pathways that allow this talent to flourish at the highest level,” Shukla added.
BCCI Joint Secretary, Prabhtej Bhatia said, “This is about building a long-term system and process. By investing in infrastructure and access at the grassroots level, we are laying the groundwork for future generations of cricketers from the North-East.”
“Equally important is the ecosystem around these facilities, which will support coaching, fitness, and overall player development,” Bhatia continued.
Raghuram Bhat, BCCITreasurer added, “The BCCI remains committed to expanding the reach of cricket infrastructure across the country. These academies are an important step in strengthening the talent pipeline and ensuring that opportunities are available to players irrespective of geography.”
“Sustained investment in such initiatives will be key to maintaining the depth and competitiveness of Indian cricket going forward,” Bhat said.
