Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia urges focused, practical measures to boost sports in Northeast India. The initiative emphasizes grassroots talent, local leagues, academies, and coaching to transform the region into a hub of sporting excellence and national-level success.
Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Jyotiraditya Scindia, has called for a focused and practical approach to boost sports development in India’s Northeast. Speaking during the 2nd High-Level Task Force Meeting on the Promotion of Sports in the North-Eastern Region, co-chaired with Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla via video conferencing on Wednesday, Scindia emphasised that the growth of sports relies not just on infrastructure but also on soft skills like coaching, talent scouting, and grassroots development.
Highlighting the importance of committed coaches and structured talent identification programs, Scindia proposed the establishment of local leagues, academies, and training centers in the region. “Success in sports is not only determined by world-class infrastructure but by nurturing talent, skill development, and providing consistent competitive exposure,” the Minister said. He also stressed that unique, state-specific approaches would be more effective than a one-size-fits-all strategy.
The meeting focused on key areas vital for strengthening the sports ecosystem, including infrastructure development, coaching, talent identification, competition exposure, sports science, funding, monitoring, data governance, and management. Scindia underlined the importance of public-private partnerships to ensure sustainable growth and resource mobilisation.
Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla praised the Minister’s vision, stating that these initiatives would bolster sports in the Northeast by creating more training opportunities, encouraging talent development, and promoting local leagues. “Each state in the region should leverage its unique strengths to produce world-class athletes. The Central government’s continued support in infrastructure development and talent nurturing will significantly impact sports growth here,” Governor Bhalla remarked.
Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Raksha Nikhil Khadse, who also participated in the meeting, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to the development of sports in the North-eastern region. She highlighted the government’s focus on nurturing grassroots talent and ensuring that young athletes have access to world-class training, infrastructure, and competitive exposure, enabling them to compete effectively at national and international levels.
The meeting saw participation from Mizoram Sports Minister, Chief Secretaries of Manipur, Nagaland, and Mizoram, as well as commissioners and senior officials from the North Eastern Council (NEC), the Ministry of DoNER, and state sports departments. The discussions revolved around creating actionable strategies for immediate, medium-term, and long-term interventions to strengthen sports and other vital sectors in the region.
The High-Level Task Forces, constituted by the DoNER Ministry, aim to identify key interventions and formulate actionable strategies for the integrated development of the North East Economic Corridor and other sectors such as tourism, education, and sports. These task forces were established following the 72nd plenary session of the North Eastern Council held in November last year in Agartala, Tripura, chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the NEC chairman.
With a clear emphasis on practical measures, structured training programs, and robust talent identification mechanisms, the government aims to transform the Northeast into a powerhouse of sporting excellence. Local leagues and academies are expected to serve as platforms for young athletes to showcase their skills, while coaching initiatives and talent scouting programs will ensure that no potential athlete is left behind.
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Experts believe that focusing on grassroots development and promoting regional competitions will not only enhance the overall sports culture in the Northeast but also contribute to national achievements in international tournaments. With consistent efforts and collaboration between state and central agencies, the North-eastern region is poised for a new era of sporting success.
