Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his Odisha counterpart Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday inaugurated the state-of-the-art Badminton High-Performance Centre (HPC) at the iconic Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwar.
The facility was inaugurated in the presence of India’s chief national coach Pullela Gopichand.
The Assam chief minister, who is also the president of the Badminton Association of India, praised the vision and efforts behind this initiative. “This partnership between the Odisha government, Dalmia Bharat and Pullela Gopichand Badminton Foundation exemplifies how public and private collaboration can redefine sports infrastructure and development of athletes,” he added.
We are undertaking multiple efforts to take Indian Badminton to new heights. With state-of-the-art infrastructure, experienced coaches and dedicated support professionals, our shuttlers are getting an exposure like never before. @BAI_Media pic.twitter.com/n6jSRujGxZ
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) December 12, 2024
“My vision is to have centres of excellence in every state to ensure our budding shuttlers get the best possible training,” he said.
Speaking during the event, Majhi said the centre will offer world-class training and coaching facilities under the direct supervision of Gopichand.
He stated that the establishment of the world-class badminton facility is the commitment of the Odisha government to nurture young athletes and provide them with resources to achieve global success.
The HPC, a collaboration among the Odisha government, Pullela Gopichand Badminton Foundation and Dalmia Bharat Group, has been built at Rs 75 crore.
Gopichand said the facility with its unique design and state-of-the-art amenities will play a crucial role in shaping the future of Indian badminton.
It is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, which will focus on high-performance training, sports science and talent scouting, fostering a new generation of badminton stars.
The centre is designed like a shuttlecock which when illuminated at night with specialized rooftop lighting transforms the skyline of Bhubaneswar.
The HPC, named Dalmia Bharat Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy, has an indoor area of 77,000 sq ft. The facility houses eight fully air-conditioned badminton courts with a seating capacity of 400 and is designed to accommodate both national and international tournaments.
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It has residential facilities for 50 players, a gymnasium and an amphitheatre for outdoor activities.
