Best academies to get an A-grade sporting education in India

The Indian sports industry is growing astronomically. Experts predict that this industry will be worth ₹150 billion within three years. Of course, such explosive growth in Indian sports is unavoidably accompanied by increased adoption of sports betting. Indian punters increasingly bet with some of the best bookmakers on sites renowned for their attractive odds.

But as typical of the 21st-century sporting landscape, education can no longer be separated from sports. For example, top sports websites like liontips.com deploy experts well educated in sports statistics to produce the most accurate sports predictions.

Similarly, Indian academies – which delicately mix academics and athletics – are creeping up around the country.

A brief on Indian Sports Schools

India, the second-largest country globally by population, is home to millions of sports enthusiasts. Though cricket is the most popular sport in the country, it has not stopped individuals from developing themselves in other sports. This is demonstrated in the number of students Indian academics admit these days.

These sports academia are institutions established to train interested individuals in different sports. These sports range from track and field events to indoor games.

The Indian government has a hand in the construction of these sports academies. However, the private sector is not left out with various celebrities, philanthropists, and even former Olympians building their own sports academies too.

Let us explore some of the best Indian sports academies around today.

1. Mary Kom-SAI Boxing Academy

Amateur boxer, Mary Kom’s rise to the top, was not seamless. There was even a time when it was as if she had no supporters.

Despite her ordeals, she pressed on, even winning a bronze medal at the 2012 Olympics. As a reward, the Manipur State government gave her 3.3 acres of land.

Having gone through the toughest route on the way to success, Mary Kom thought it wise to smoothen the journey for those following behind, especially those interested in boxing.

She used the land given to her to construct a boxing academy. Pumping in her funds and those she could crowdsource into the project, the Mary Kom-Sports Authority of India Boxing Academy

This sports academy scouts for individuals aged 12 to 18 who are talented at boxing and develops them into world-class boxers.

It hopes to achieve this by using psychological development and developing them physically. To top it, the school bears the financial expenses for boxers accepted.

2. Yogeshwar Dutt Wrestling Academy

Just like Mary Kom, Yogeshwar Dutt’s journey to the top was a difficult one too. During his early days, he did not have the right facilities to properly prepare for his wrestling events.

Not wanting this experience to repeat in the younger generation, Yogeshwar Dutt opted to contribute to the development of wrestling in his country.

This prompted the 2012 Olympics bronze medalist to lease the defunct engineering college in Sonipat for five years to build a wrestling academy. After years of building, the academy opened in 2017.

For every prize money he got for winning events, he channeled it into the expansion and improvement of his academy.

Today, the Yogeshwar Dutt Wrestling Academy is doing far better than expected, producing wrestling champions.

3. The Inspire Institute of Sport

Located in Karnataka, the Inspire Institute of Sport, otherwise known as the IIS, is a privately funded sports academy founded by the JSW Group. It aims to nurture young Indian sports talents to become medal recipients.

This sports institute boasts some of the best sporting brains worldwide as coaches. In addition, it features state-of-the-art equipment, ensuring that they leave no stone unturned in their quest for glory.

Some notable features of the IIS include a sports combat hall, a sports medicine center, an athletics track, and an aquatic sports center.

Neeraj Chopra, a 2018 Asian Games gold medalist, is an alumnus of this institute.

4. Gopichand Badminton Academy

After winning the All-England Open in 2001, expectations were high for the Indian star, Pullela Gopichand. Unfortunately, hopes were dashed due to injuries, forcing him to retire early.

Despite this setback, Gopichand channeled his energy into training others to glory. This vision gave birth to the Gopichand Badminton Academy.

Many years down the line, this badminton academy has produced two Olympic badminton medalists for India and dozens of others with varying medals at different badminton competitions.

5. Gun for Glory Shooting Academy

Gagan Narand and Pawan Singh conceived the idea of a shooting academy in 2011. One year later, this idea became a reality.

This academy nurtures young talents in the art of shooting, preparing them for the grand stages. It features state-of-the-art shooting ranges and expert coaches. Currently, the academy has 13 branches across India.

The reward for labor has already begun with the emergence of world champions in shooting competitions worldwide.

Conclusion

In India, people take sports more seriously as the years go by. For every country, winning medals and trophies is always a source of pride. 

Therefore, together with interested individuals, the government has committed to ensuring sports develop in the country.

More resources are being employed, and sports complexes and academies are being erected and revamped in different parts of the country. Inevitably, the results will pour in in due time.