Synopsis
The Sports Authority of India and Japan’s University of Tsukuba have signed a three-year partnership to enhance sports education, coaching, research, and professional skill development through training and academic exchanges.
India has taken another step toward strengthening its sports education and talent development system after the Sports Authority of India (SAI) signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Japan’s University of Tsukuba (UT).
The agreement was signed on June 5 by Professor Kyosuke Nagata, President of the University of Tsukuba, and Manjushree Dayanand, Deputy Director General of SAI. The partnership aims to improve sports education, coaching expertise, research, and athlete development while supporting India's long-term sporting ambitions.
The collaboration builds on the sports cooperation agreement established between India and Japan in 2016 and follows an earlier institutional partnership signed by SAI and the University of Tsukuba in 2018.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Osamu Ohneda, Vice President of the University of Tsukuba, highlighted the importance of talent development and academic excellence in sports. “Our aim is the cultivation of talent as well as continued sustainable sports development in both our countries with further academic excellence and new frameworks for coach development and top athlete training”, Ohneda said.
He added that sports education and sports science play a crucial role in building a strong sports ecosystem and that the renewed partnership would create more opportunities for cooperation between India and Japan.
The agreement comes at a time when India is preparing for major international sporting events, including the Commonwealth Games 2030, which the country is set to host, while also working toward its Olympic goals for 2036. According to Dayanand, international partnerships are essential for developing not only athletes but also the professionals who support them. “Sustained international collaborations of this nature are critical not only for athlete preparation but also for developing skills of coaches, sports scientists, administrators and support personnel required to sustain elite sporting success”, she said.
The MoU covers several areas related to education and workforce development in sports. These include sports education, Olympic and Paralympic studies, coach education, sports management, sports medicine, physiotherapy, strength and conditioning, injury prevention, facility development, and sports science research.
The partnership will create opportunities for Indian athletes, coaches, sports scientists, and SAI administrators to participate in specialized training programs, exchange initiatives, and professional attachments in Japan. It will also encourage higher education opportunities and academic collaboration with the University of Tsukuba.
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A major focus of the agreement is building skills in sports science and improving coaching standards. The partnership will support joint research projects, sports performance analysis, and knowledge-sharing programs designed to bring global best practices to India’s sports sector.
The initiative will prioritize sports such as athletics, archery, table tennis, swimming, and judo, where India aims to improve its international competitiveness in the coming years.
In addition, faculty members, officials, and sports professionals from both countries will participate in exchange programs and internships through the Tsukuba International Academy for Sport Studies (TIAS 2.0).
Officials believe the collaboration will strengthen India's sports ecosystem by developing skilled professionals, expanding research capabilities, and improving athlete support systems. Beyond athletic success, the partnership is expected to help build long-term institutional capacity and create a stronger foundation for future generations of sports professionals.
