Guwahati is set to take a significant step toward establishing itself as a high-performance sporting center, following the announcement of a new High-Performance Satellite Sports Centre by the Directorate of Sports & Youth Welfare (DSYW), Government of Assam, in partnership with the Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS).
The initiative marks a decisive move to build a structured elite sports ecosystem in Assam and strengthen the Northeast’s contribution to India’s long-term Olympic ambitions.
The center will serve as the backbone for high-performance development across seven priority sports: athletics, archery, taekwondo, table tennis, lawn tennis, chess, and swimming. At its core, the project is designed to address three critical pillars of elite sport: talent identification, coach development, and sustainable performance pathways. Rather than functioning as a standalone training facility, the Guwahati center is envisioned as an integrated hub connecting grassroots potential with national and international performance standards.
As part of the first phase, Athletics, Archery, and Taekwondo will be developed in direct collaboration with IIS, ensuring the integration of internationally benchmarked training systems and global technical expertise. These programs aim not only to develop athletes capable of competing at the highest levels but also to strengthen Assam’s internal coaching ecosystem, an area often identified as a limiting factor in regional sports development.
Speaking on the significance of the initiative, Smt. Nandita Gorlosa, Hon’ble Minister of Sports and Youth Welfare, Government of Assam, highlighted the state’s untapped potential. “Assam has no shortage of talent, particularly across its rural and tribal regions. Through this partnership with the Inspire Institute of Sport, we are bringing global coaching expertise and high-performance systems into the state while strengthening our own infrastructure and outreach,” she said. “This collaboration creates clear, structured pathways for athletes and coaches to progress to national and international competition and positions Assam as a high-performance sports hub in the Northeast, contributing to India’s Olympic journey.”
The athletics program will act as the foundation of the initiative, beginning with a structured Assam State Coaches Orientation and Development program. Delivered through a combination of on-ground sessions and hybrid learning modules, the program will upskill district-level coaches under internationally recognized World Athletics frameworks, supported by senior IIS experts. This coach-first approach reflects a long-term vision: building local expertise capable of sustaining high-performance standards beyond individual athlete cycles. A targeted talent identification drive will follow, focusing on spotting and nurturing young athletes with the physical and technical attributes required for elite progression.
In Taekwondo, the Guwahati center is expected to position Assam as a regional combat sports hub, offering clear pathways into national high-performance systems. Talent identification camps and advanced masterclasses will bring together athletes and coaches from across the Northeast, exposing them to Olympic-level technical inputs and competition-oriented training models. The emphasis will be on bridging the gap between grassroots participation and structured elite performance.
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The archery program carries a strong inclusion-focused dimension. While performance outcomes remain central, particular attention will be placed on identifying and developing young talent, especially girls from tribal and rural communities. By combining early talent identification with sustained technical support, the program aims to unlock long-term medal potential while ensuring equitable access to elite sport pathways.
Manisha Malhotra, president of the Inspire Institute of Sport, underlined the strategic intent behind the collaboration. “At the Inspire Institute of Sport, our focus is on advancing excellence through structured, high-performance systems,” she said. “In collaboration with DSYW Assam, we are bringing Olympic-level coaching expertise, cutting-edge sports science, and proven development frameworks into the state. This satellite center is designed to raise standards across athletes and coaches, create clear pathways to elite performance, and build a sustainable pipeline rooted in Assam’s talent while aligned with global best practices.”
Beyond Guwahati, programs linked to the satellite center will be rolled out across other locations in Assam in the coming months, expanding the initiative’s reach and impact. By aligning infrastructure development with technical expertise and long-term planning, the project aims to elevate Assam’s sporting identity from a talent-rich region to a performance-driven ecosystem.
As India sharpens its focus on Olympic success in the coming cycles, initiatives such as the Guwahati High-Performance Satellite Sports Centre represent a critical shift from isolated talent discovery to integrated, system-led development. For Assam and the wider Northeast, the partnership with IIS offers not just opportunity but a sustainable pathway to global sporting relevance.
