Shillong, Apr 29: Meghalaya received a major boost to its cricket infrastructure as Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday virtually inaugurated the state-of-the-art Indoor Cricket Academy at Madan Kurkalang in Ri-Bhoi district, developed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
The Meghalaya facility is among six indoor academies unveiled across the Northeast, with similar centres coming up in Rangpo (Sikkim), Doimukh (Arunachal Pradesh), Imphal (Manipur), Aizawl (Mizoram), and Dimapur (Nagaland). PM Modi virtually inaugurated the facilities during a state function held in Gangtok, Sikkim, marking a significant step towards strengthening cricket infrastructure and unlocking the immense sporting potential of the North-East region. “Together, they form the first truly pan-North-East high-performance cricketing ecosystem, ensuring that quality training infrastructure is distributed and accessible across regions,” the BCCI said in a statement.The BCCI further emphasised that these academies represent a critical milestone following the inclusion of North-Eastern states in India’s domestic cricket structure, reinforcing the BCCI’s commitment to growth, talent identification, and athlete-centric development. The BCCI has designed these academies as “high-performance centres, equipped with indoor practice pitches, high-tech gymnasiums, temperature-controlled swimming pools, and dedicated administrative and training blocks.”
For Meghalaya, the academy at Kurkalang represents its first dedicated indoor high-performance training centre. Built under the aegis of the Meghalaya Cricket Association (MCA), the facility is expected to address long-standing challenges faced by cricketers in the state, particularly disruptions caused by its long monsoon season and year-round rainy spells. The academy will enable year-round training and structured player development. The facility would also reduce the need for local players to travel outside the state for professional training opportunities.
MCA President, James Sangma, who attended the event at Kurkalang, said it was a significant moment for cricket in the state. “It was a privilege to meet members of the cricketing fraternity and local community members, who have supported the Meghalaya Cricket Association over the years,” he said, adding that the interaction with local stakeholders was encouraging for future plans.
He further noted that the Indoor Cricket Academy would serve as a launchpad for the sport in Meghalaya. “In the years ahead, the Indoor Cricket Academy will serve as a launchpad for cricket in the state, nurturing local talent and players across Meghalaya,” he said.
The project traces its origins to a broader BCCI initiative aimed at strengthening cricket ecosystems in emerging regions following the Northeast’s integration into India’s domestic cricket structure. The foundation stone for the academies was laid in May 2024, setting in motion “a structured effort to build world-class cricketing infrastructure in the North-East”, the BCCI said.
With the Kurkalang academy now operational, Meghalaya is expected to benefit from improved grassroots development and enhanced pathways for young cricketers to progress within the national system.
