Assam Strengthens Olympic Pathways with Coaches Development and Talent Identification Programme

Assam Strengthens Olympic Pathways with Coaches Development and Talent Identification Programme

Assam has taken a significant step toward strengthening its Olympic and elite sports pipeline with the launch of a Coaches Development and Talent Identification programme, led by renowned athletics coach Troy Douglas, in collaboration with the Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) and the state Department of Sports and Youth Welfare.
The programme, currently underway in Guwahati, is aimed at upgrading coaching standards across the state while identifying young athletic talent with the potential to compete at the national and international levels. It forms part of the Assam government’s broader strategy to build a structured pathway for athletes from the grassroots to elite competition, including the Olympics.
Former international sprinter and World Championships medallist Troy Douglas, who serves as Head Coach at IIS, is leading the initiative. The programme combines classroom sessions with practical on-field training, exposing local coaches to internationally accepted coaching methodologies and modern sports science practices.
Around 150 under-18 athletes selected from various districts of Assam are undergoing assessments as part of the talent identification process, while 11 coaches from seven districts are participating in intensive training modules. The curriculum focuses on long-term athlete development, performance analysis, injury prevention, nutrition and recovery.
The initiative also features the involvement of noted biomechanist and elite coach Dr Klaus Bartonietz, who has worked with Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra, adding further technical expertise to the programme.
Officials said the programme builds on an earlier phase of coach education conducted at the IIS campus in Karnataka and is designed to ensure continuity between talent identification and high-performance training. The state government is also exploring the establishment of a satellite athletics centre in Guwahati to support sustained athlete development.
The programme is being seen as a major boost for Assam’s sporting ambitions, particularly in athletics, and reflects a growing emphasis on professional coaching, scientific training and systematic talent nurturing as the state seeks to emerge as a key contributor to India’s future Olympic contingent.