New Delhi, Aug 13: Olympic javelin champion Neeraj Chopra and celebrated badminton coach Pullela Gopichand have launched the Indian School of Coaching Excellence (ISCE), an initiative aimed at strengthening India’s sports coaching system and developing a pool of highly skilled coaches.The initiative seeks to provide coaches with multidisciplinary training covering areas such as sports science, physical literacy, sports education, technology, athlete development and career planning.
ISCE is also envisioned as a knowledge-sharing platform that will bring together government agencies, the Sports Authority of India, sports federations, high-performance centres, educational institutions and private-sector organisations.The objective is to help coaches keep pace with the changing demands of high-performance sport and provide athletes with more scientifically informed training and development.
Chopra said coaches have a crucial influence on an athlete’s sporting and personal development. He emphasised the need to provide coaches with access to quality education, mentorship and updated knowledge about sports science and athlete development.The initiative, supported by the Neeraj Chopra Foundation, aims to create an environment where coaches can continuously upgrade their skills and share knowledge.
Gopichand said coaches form the foundation of a successful sporting ecosystem and stressed the importance of combining international coaching practices with India’s own experience.He said the initiative would encourage coaches to learn continuously, collaborate with peers and develop the confidence required to lead athletes at the highest level.
Gopichand has coached several leading Indian badminton players, including Olympic medallists Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu and former world No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth.ISCE’s broader objective is to establish a sustainable coaching ecosystem capable of supporting India’s long-term ambitions in international sport.
The initiative is based on the principle that developing world-class athletes requires equally strong coaching systems, with coaches receiving regular opportunities for education, professional development and access to global expertise.
