New Delhi: The Neeraj Chopra Foundation, badminton coach Pullela Gopichand and AISTS India announced the launch of the Indian School of Coaching Excellence (ISCE) on Wednesday, a new initiative billed as India’s first dedicated platform for coach education. The school aims to overhaul how the country trains its coaches, moving beyond technical instruction to include sports science, physical literacy and career development.
A broader approach to coach development
ISCE plans to run multidisciplinary coach development programmes that go beyond conventional technical training. The curriculum will draw on physical literacy, sports science, sports education, technology and career development, aiming to prepare coaches for the demands of high-performance sport. The initiative is designed as a knowledge-sharing platform and will work with government bodies, the Sports Authority of India (SAI), sports federations, associations, high-performance centres, academic institutions and the private sector.
Gopichand: coaches sit at the heart of the ecosystem
Pullela Gopichand, the Padma Bhushan and Dronacharya awardee who also holds an IOC citation for coaching excellence, said the ecosystem India builds around sport will define its future. “The future of Indian sport will be defined by the ecosystem we build. Coaches are at the heart of that ecosystem,” he said. “ISCE is our effort to create a platform that combines global best practices with Indian experience, enabling coaches to continuously upskill, collaborate and lead with confidence. We believe this initiative can play a meaningful role in shaping the next chapter of Indian sport.”
Chopra: coaches shape more than just athletes
Neeraj Chopra, the Olympic and World javelin champion and founder of the Neeraj Chopra Foundation, said a coach’s influence extends well beyond an athlete’s performance on the field. “I firmly believe that every athlete’s journey is shaped by the guidance and nurturing of his or her coach, not only as a sportsperson but also as an individual,” he said. “It is extremely important that our coaches have access to world-class education, mentorship and the latest knowledge in sports science and athlete development. Through the Indian School of Coaching Excellence, the Neeraj Chopra Foundation hopes to create an environment where coaches continue to learn, evolve and inspire generations of athletes to realise their full potential.”
The idea behind ISCE
The organisers behind ISCE describe a strong coaching ecosystem as essential to India’s long-term success in sport, arguing that progress should be measured not only by the champions produced but by the systems built to support them. As India pursues its ambitions in world sport, they have invited sports federations, associations and other stakeholders to join the initiative as it takes shape.
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