JICA and Government of Assam Join Hands to Empower Women through Sports

Assam, 31 July 2025: With an aim to strengthen women’s leadership and inclusive coaching practices in India’s sports ecosystem, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in collaboration with the Department of Sports & Youth Welfare, Government of Assam, organised the JICA–Assam Women’s Leadership & Coaching Empowerment Programme from July 23 to 30, 2025, at the Arjuna Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex, Sarusajai in Guwahati.

The program brought together around 60 female participants from across Assam. The workshop was a pioneering initiative aimed to promote gender equality and to strengthen the role of women in sports in Assam. The program, under the theme of “Building a Kaizen Culture: Becoming an Innovator to Lead Transformative Change in Sports Coaching,” also aimed to cultivate female leadership and athlete-centered and inclusive coaching methodologies.

The initiative is also envisioned as a platform to support personal growth, community leadership, and long-term cultural transformation in Assam’s sports ecosystem, particularly by empowering women coaches and athletes. It aligns with broader global efforts to increase women’s representation in coaching and sports administration roles. The opening ceremony was held on July 23 in the presence of Smti. Nandita Gorlosa, the Hon’ble Minister, and Mr. Kausar Jamil Hilaly, Secretary, of the Department of Sports & Youth Welfare, Government of Assam. Mr. Wakamatsu Eiji, Senior Representative of JICA and other respected officials also attended the event.

The program comprised two intensive modules. The first module, “Seeds of Leadership: Cultivating Women Leaders in Sport,” was conducted from July 23 to 25 and focused on leadership development for selected women participants, including coaches and athletes transitioning to leadership roles in sports and society, and other potential female role models in the sports sector, aiming to nurture a new generation of role models who can drive change within and beyond Assam.

The second module, “Seeds of Change: Athlete-Centred Coaching for a Kaizen Culture,” was held from July 27 to 30 to engage female coaches from across Assam in practical training on coaching skills and leadership mindset development. Kaizen is a Japanese management term meaning ‘continuous improvement’. Both modules applied active learning methodologies and aimed to foster autonomy, self-reflection, and value-driven coaching practices. This workshop was not only a step towards women empowerment but also for the future of sports in Assam.

The workshop was facilitated by a distinguished delegation from Japan, led by Dr. Masamitsu Ito, who is a professor at Nippon Sport Science University (NSSU) and Director of the NSSU Coach Developer Academy (NCDA). Dr. Ito, a leading expert in global coaching development, brought extensive experience from his work in empowering female coaches, supporting transitioning athletes, and advancing high-performance sports education. Dr. Ito and his team delivered a rich, high-quality learning experience tailored to the needs and aspirations of the participants.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. TAKEUCHI Takuro, Chief Representative, JICA India, said, “We are proud to partner with the Government of Assam to advance gender-inclusive leadership in sports. This program represents not just skills training but a commitment to long-term cultural transformation. By integrating the principles of 'kaizen' and athlete-centred coaching, we aim to instil not only technical proficiency, but also the mindset and confidence necessary for lasting impact. We firmly believe that these empowered women, whether as coaches, mentors, or role models, will spark positive change throughout Assam’s sporting ecosystem. Their leadership has the potential to inspire communities, influence future generations, and contribute to a more equitable and inclusive future for sports, in India and beyond. ”

This program reflects JICA’s continued commitment to inclusive excellence and capacity-building across India. By equipping women coaches and leaders in Assam with the tools and mindset to drive cultural and systemic change, the initiative exemplifies the impact of international collaboration in fostering sustainable development, professional growth, and empowerment at the grassroots level.