Lacrosse in India: Visit to Agra

April 1st, 2024 – Agra, India

With coordination with Lacrosse Association of India (LAI) and World Lacrosse, APLU Executive Director Chris Jinno, along with WL Director of Sport TJ Buchanan and LA Level 2 Official Tyler Nolf, visited Agra to witness the inaugural national lacrosse championships and conduct officiating training courses for new LAI Officials.

Lacrosse in India began in 2008, spearheaded by Bijay Mipun, the “father” of Indian lacrosse. Despite early challenges, the sport gained momentum under the new management of Tausif Ahmad Lari, who has been instrumental in expanding the sport nationwide through a network of 25 state lacrosse associations.

The first National Lacrosse Championships in India saw a tremendous turnout, with 480 athletes from 22 states competing across six divisions: sub-junior, junior, and senior for both men and women. Over three days, 90+ shortened sixes games showcased talent in India.

Tyler Nolf led a comprehensive three-day training program for 20 new LAI officials, who demonstrated an exceptional grasp of lacrosse rules. Using materials from the WL Educator Academy, Tyler covered key officiating concepts like slow whistles, walling, and draws. The officials remained actively engaged, asking numerous questions and excelling in quizzes. Impressively, 87 out of the 90 games were officiated entirely by these newly trained officials.

TJ Buchanan and Chris Jinno conducted technical clinics on March 27th and 28th, focusing on fundamental techniques such as cradling, passing, catching, and shooting, as well as the basics of team defense and offense. Despite the large number of participants, the sessions were well-organized, dividing the 480 players into smaller groups to ensure effective training. The players, many with backgrounds in sports like cricket, field hockey, and handball, quickly adapted to lacrosse, showing significant improvement over the two days.

The success of the clinics and the national championships demonstrates the tremendous potential for lacrosse in India. The dedication and enthusiasm of the players, coaches, and officials underscore the sport’s promising future in the region. APLU and World Lacrosse remain committed to supporting LAI’s journey towards international recognition and success.