Sri Sri Aniruddhadeva Sports University is a state public university located in Assam, India, dedicated to higher education and training in the field of sports sciences, physical education, and athletics. It is among the specialised sports-focused universities established by state governments in India to promote professional sports education and to develop sporting talent at the regional level.
The university is named after Sri Sri Aniruddhadeva, a revered 16th–17th century Vaishnavite saint of Assam associated with the Mayamara satra tradition, reflecting the institution's rooting in Assamese cultural heritage.
| Name | Sri Sri Aniruddhadeva Sports University |
|---|---|
| Type | State public university |
| Focus | Sports and physical education |
| Location | Dibrugarh district, Assam, India |
| Country | India |
| Named after | Sri Sri Aniruddhadeva |
The Government of Assam established the university with the objective of creating a dedicated institutional framework for sports education in the state. Prior to its formation, sports training in Assam was largely conducted through general physical education departments within multidisciplinary universities and through standalone coaching centres. The new university was envisaged as a centre that would integrate academic study, coaching, sports science, and athlete development under a single institutional umbrella.
The choice of Dibrugarh as the location places the institution in Upper Assam, a region with a strong tradition of participation in sports such as football, athletics, and indigenous games. Dibrugarh is also a major educational hub in the region, hosting Dibrugarh University and several professional colleges.
Sri Sri Aniruddhadeva was a prominent figure in the neo-Vaishnavite movement in Assam and is venerated particularly in Upper Assam. By naming the university after him, the state government linked a modern educational institution with the cultural and spiritual legacy of the region. The university represents a wider effort by Indian states to set up specialised institutions for sports, following models such as the Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education and other state-level sports universities.
As a sports university, the institution's intended academic scope covers areas such as: