The Neeraj Chopra Foundation, Pullela Gopichand’s Badminton Gurukul and AISTS India have joined hands to launch the Indian School of Coaching Excellence (ISCE), an initiative aimed at strengthening coach education and developing India’s sports ecosystem.
The initiative seeks to create world-class coaches through multidisciplinary development programmes that go beyond technical training. ISCE will cover areas including physical literacy, sports science, sports education, technology and career development, preparing coaches to meet the evolving needs of high-performance sport.
ISCE will also serve as a knowledge-sharing platform and work with 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.
Commenting on the ISCE, Pullela Gopichand, Padma Bhushan & Dronacharya awardee and recipient of IOC citation for coaching excellence, said, “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.”
Neeraj Chopra, Founder of the Neeraj Chopra Foundation and World & Olympic Champion, 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. 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 Indian School of Coaching Excellence aims to build a stronger coaching ecosystem to support India’s long-term sporting ambitions. The initiative will focus on ensuring coaches have access to knowledge, mentorship and opportunities for continuous development.
With India seeking to strengthen its position on the global sporting stage, ISCE aims to contribute to the development of both coaches and athletes by creating a platform that encourages learning, collaboration and excellence across the sporting ecosystem.
