Neeraj Chopra and Pullela Gopichand to launch school of coaching excellence

The Neeraj Chopra Foundation, Pullela Gopichand’s Badminton Gurukul and AISTS India on Thursday announced the launch launch a programme under the Indian School of Coaching Excellence (ISCE), a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at strengthening coach education and India’s sports ecosystem.

The main focus of ISCE will be on creating world-class coaches. It will offer multidisciplinary programmes that go beyond technical training, covering areas such as physical literacy, sports science, sports education, technology and career development. These programmes will help coaches meet the changing demands of high-performance sport.

The initiative will also work as a knowledge-sharing platform, bringing together government bodies, the Sports Authority of India (SAI), sports federations, associations, high-performance centres, academic institutions and the private sector to promote coaching excellence across the country.

The vision behind ISCE is to build a strong coaching ecosystem that can support India’s long-term growth in sport. As India aims to establish itself as a global sporting power, the initiative believes that success will depend not only on the athletes the country produces but also on the ecosystem that supports them.

The initiative is built around the belief that every great athlete needs a great coach, while every great coach needs access to quality knowledge, mentorship and opportunities to grow. ISCE aims to help develop a new generation of coaches who can guide and inspire young athletes across India.

Speaking on the launch, Pullela Gopichand  said that coaches are at the centre of India’s sporting ecosystem. He also added that  ISCE aims to bring together global best practices and Indian experience, allowing coaches to continuously improve, collaborate and lead with confidence.

"The future of Indian sport will be defined by the ecosystem we build. Coaches are at the heart of that ecosystem. 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," he said

Indian Olympic javelin champion Neeraj Chopra, while speaking at the event, also acknowledged the importance of a coach in an athlete's life.

Chopra said, "I firmly believe that every athlete's journey is shaped by the guidance and nurturing of his/her coach, not only as a sportsperson but also as an individual. Hence, in order to create the next generation of sports heroes in India, it is extremely important that our coaches have access to world-class education, mentorship and the latest knowledge in sports science and athlete development."

He also added about how the programme will create an environment where coaches can also learn.

"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."