New Delhi: The Sports Minister stated on Thursday that the high-altitude training center to be built in Shillong, Meghalaya at a cost of 150 crore rupees will be of international standard, similar to established centers in Switzerland, France, and the United States.

The Minister had announced the establishment of this center during a recent three-day visit to Meghalaya. Providing detailed information about it, he told reporters, “This center will conform to international standards, like the famous centers in Iten (Kenya), St. Moritz (Switzerland), Font Romeu (France), and Colorado Springs and Flagstaff (USA).”

It was stated that the center, to be built at a cost of 150 crore rupees, will be able to accommodate 450 athletes at a time and will have state-of-the-art training facilities along with a residential complex. The Minister said, “In this complex being built under the Sports Authority of India, the existing eight-lane 400-meter athletic track, football stadium, and infrastructure will be upgraded.”

He further said, “This center will aid in physical adaptation and recovery for competitions held at high altitudes. It will benefit sports like athletics, swimming, rowing, cycling, boxing, and wrestling, which require improved endurance and faster recovery.”

The Sports Minister said that Shillong, often called the ‘Scotland of the Northeast,’ is located at an altitude of 1496 meters above sea level, where the temperature remains around 19 degrees Celsius throughout the year, allowing outdoor training in clean mountain air during all seasons.

Iten

Iten is a town in Kenya’s Rift Valley, widely known as the “Home of Champions” due to its status as a world-famous training hub for elite long-distance runners. Its history as a running epicenter began in the 1990s when athletes like Lornah Kiplagat established training camps there, taking advantage of the high altitude and scenic terrain. Today, Iten attracts runners from around the globe and features a renowned running museum, with the local Kalenjin community’s cultural emphasis on endurance contributing to its athletic legacy.

St. Moritz

St. Moritz is a world-renowned luxury alpine resort in Switzerland, famous for its stunning scenery and winter sports. Its history as a tourist destination began in the 19th century, when it became a pioneer for Alpine tourism and hosted the Winter Olympics twice, in 1928 and 1948. Today, it remains synonymous with glamour, high-end hotels, and premier skiing.

Font Romeu

Font-Romeu is a commune and ski resort in the French Pyrenees, known for its sunny climate and high-altitude location. It gained prominence in the 20th century as a winter sports destination and is also home to the Font-Romeu-Odeillo-Via solar furnace, a major scientific facility built in the 1960s to harness solar energy. The area also has a long history tied to the Catalan culture and the nearby hermitage of Notre-Dame de Font-Romeu, a pilgrimage site dating back to the 13th century.

Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs is a city in Colorado, USA, known for its stunning natural setting at the base of Pikes Peak. Founded in 1871 by General William Jackson Palmer, it grew as a resort and military town, hosting key institutions like the U.S. Air Force Academy. Today, it remains a popular destination for outdoor recreation and historic landmarks such as the Garden of the Gods.

Flagstaff

Flagstaff, Arizona, is a historic mountain town originally settled as a railroad hub in the 1880s, named after a flagpole erected by early pioneers to celebrate the U.S. Centennial. It is best known as the gateway to the Grand Canyon and for its proximity to the San Francisco Peaks, which are sacred to the Navajo and Hopi tribes. Today, Flagstaff blends its Old West heritage with a vibrant university community and a strong focus on outdoor recreation and astronomy.

Shillong

Shillong, the capital of the Indian state of Meghalaya, is a scenic hill station known for its lush landscapes and colonial-era architecture. Originally part of the Khasi kingdom, it became the summer capital of British Assam in the 19th century and grew into a thriving administrative and cultural hub. Today, it is celebrated for its vibrant music scene, pleasant climate, and as a gateway to the region’s natural wonders.

Scotland of the Northeast

“Scotland of the Northeast” refers to the mountainous region of Chongli in Zhangjiakou, Hebei Province, China, known for its scenic alpine meadows, pine forests, and snow-capped peaks reminiscent of the Scottish Highlands. Historically a grazing area for Mongolian herders, it gained prominence in the late 20th century as a ski resort and outdoor recreation destination, later hosting events for the 2022 Winter Olympics. The nickname highlights its unique blend of natural beauty and winter sports culture, distinguishing it from the typical landscapes of northern China.

Sports Authority of India

The Sports Authority of India (SAI) is a premier national sports body established in 1984 by the Government of India to promote and develop sports across the country. It oversees the training of athletes, manages major sports facilities like the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi, and runs various talent identification and coaching programs. SAI plays a crucial role in India’s Olympic and international sports efforts, evolving from early initiatives like the 1960s National Institute of Sports to become the central hub for athletic excellence.