The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Department of Sports & Youth Welfare, Government of Assam, concluded the JICA–Assam Women’s Leadership & Coaching Empowerment Programme in Guwahati on July 30, 2025. Held at the Arjuna Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex from July 23–30, the programme trained 60 women participants under the theme “Building a Kaizen Culture.”
The initiative featured two core modules: “Seeds of Leadership,” focusing on developing future women leaders and role models in sports; and “Seeds of Change,” offering athlete-centered coaching techniques rooted in the Kaizen philosophy of continuous improvement. Spearheaded by Dr. Masamitsu Ito of Japan’s Nippon Sport Science University, the programme emphasized value-based, inclusive coaching methodologies.
In Guwahati, the programme is poised to enhance the city’s sports development ecosystem, offering new opportunities for women professionals in coaching and sports management. It reflects a growing demand for diversity-driven talent and leadership in Assam’s expanding sports infrastructure. JICA India Chief Representative TAKEUCHI Takuro called the initiative a transformative step, combining technical skills with a leadership mindset to drive systemic change and long-term empowerment in Indian sports.
