The optimistic role of team sports is brilliantly articulated by Nelson Mandela: ‘Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair.’
Team sports uplift individual spirit as well as cohesive values of communities. The current FIFA World Cup is showcasing how a good and timely pass to your teammate achieves the goal, how significant is the attitude to keep going when things get tough, and how a team victory brings joy and happiness among individuals, groups, and nations. The optimistic role of team sports is brilliantly articulated by Nelson Mandela, who became the first President of apartheid free South Africa in 1994, “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair”. Mandela was jailed for being the leader of the mass movement to end the racial rule in South Africa. He often stated that he survived his incarceration of eighteen years in Roben Island prison by playing football that “made us feel alive and triumphant despite the situation we found ourselves in”.
Two recent sports events that are byproducts of the revenues and popularity of IPL have added strength to the spirit of nationalism. The Ranji Trophy 2025-26, the 91st season of India’s premier first-class cricket tournament, produced a new winner. Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) won the Ranji Trophy for the first time in February 2026 by defeating Karnataka in the final. Behind this historic victory lies the massive financial resources given by the BCCI to J&K Cricket Association to provide their local talent with professional turf wickets, elite coaching, and structured guidance programs that had been previously out of reach. This well-planned and meticulously implemented focus on players’ development and localized infrastructure made the J & K team a national winner. How momentous is this victory of J&K maybe guessed from the following observations of the highest political leaders. Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally congratulated the J&K team, “This historic triumph reflects remarkable grit, discipline and passion of the team. It is a proud moment for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and it highlights the growing sporting passion and talent”. Union Home Minister, Amit Shah observed that winning the Ranji Trophy is a moment that fills every citizen of J&K with immense pride. The victory reflects that the changes sweeping J&K are a new identity for its youth. The ruling party of J&K, National Conference, celebrated the victory across the region and congratulated the players by observing, “You have made every Jammu & Kashmiri resident proud with your grit and brilliance”. Secondly, inauguration of six new cricket academies across Northeast India on 28th April 2026 by Prime Minister marks a transformative milestone in the youngsters’ engagement in the team sport of cricket. This project was conceived by the former Minister of Sports, Anurag Thakur during his tenure as the Secretary of BCCI and the initiation of implementation was undertaken by Jay Shah during his term as the Secretary of BCCI. He laid the foundation stone of these academies in May 2024 and large heartedly sanctioned big BCCI funds to set in motion a structured effort to build world-class cricketing infrastructure in the North-East. By establishing state-of-the-art facilities in Rangpo (Sikkim), Doimukh (Arunachal Pradesh), Imphal (Manipur), Madankurklang (Meghalaya), Aizawl (Mizoram), and Dimapur (Nagaland), BCCI and the State Cricket Associations have bridged a long-standing infrastructural gap and conveyed a powerful message of inclusion to the youth of this region. For decades, the “Seven Sisters” of the Northeast India and Sikkim have been celebrated for their natural prowess in football and boxing, yet cricket remained largely untapped due to a lack of specialized training centres. This initiative changes that ground reality as well as popular narrative by providing an easily accessible platform for the region’s raw talent to be nurtured and sustained under professional guidance. New academies are set to ignite a revolution in youth engagement by offering constructive and empowering outlets for the vibrant energy of Northeastern youngsters. The sunrise over these new academies symbolizes a new dawn where all children, regardless of their geographical location, can dream of wearing the national jersey and competing on the global stage in the game of cricket. It fosters a sense of pride and belonging that has already started resonating among all youngsters of these states. Team sports serve as a universal language of discipline, solidarity, and resilience, and these academies would act as sanctuaries where young athletes would cultivate these vital life values. By providing local access to international-standard coaching and equipment, the initiative removes the prohibitive barriers of travel and expense that previously discouraged aspiring cricketers of the Northeastern states. Engagement in merit based organized sports provides a healthy alternative to sedentary lifestyles and steers the youth away from social vulnerabilities by channelling their focus toward excellence and personal growth. As young boys and girls from Sikkim to Nagaland begin to master the cover drive and the leg-break, they are not just learning and participating in a team sport. They are building character and discovering the heights of their own capabilities. This surge in participation would undoubtedly foster a more active, motivated, and unified generation, ready to contribute meaningfully to the fabric of Indian society through the spirit of sportsmanship. Also, beyond the boundary ropes, these cricket academies represent a potent catalyst for regional economic development and modernization. The Salix Tetrasperma or Disperma willow trees of these states are likely to be used to manufacture and sell cricket bats. The construction and ongoing operation of these facilities generate immediate employment opportunities for local communities, ranging from specialized coaching roles to administrative and maintenance staff. Furthermore, as these academies begin to host regional tournaments, age-group matches, and training camps, they will stimulate a sports tourism ecosystem. Visiting teams, officials, and scouts will require local hospitality services, including hotels, catering, and transport, providing a steady influx of revenue into the local economy. The demand for sports equipment and merchandise will also encourage small-scale entrepreneurship and retail growth within the neighbouring towns. This economic ripple effect ensures that the benefits of the BCCI’s initiative extend to the common citizens by turning these sporting hubs into centres of commercial activity. The inauguration of these six academies is a testament to the vision of Viksit Bharat, where the Northeast would be one of the centrepieces of the nation’s progress. The region is poised to become the new powerhouse of Indian cricket, proving that with innovative vision and productive investment, the attainment of youthful dreams is feasible and achievable.
-
Dr Pushpinder Puniha, Distinguish Fellow of NITI Aayog is a former financial advisor of the BCCI. Sanjeet Singh, Program Director NITI Aayog is head of NITI Aayog’s Task Force on Strengthening Sports Goods Manufacturing and Exports. The views expressed by them are personal and based on their studies.
