Bhubaneswar: Odisha added another international sports infrastructure in its bucket, as Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday inaugurated Dalmia Bharat Gopichand Badminton High Performance Centre (HPC) at the iconic Kalinga Stadium here.
While inaugurating the “Shuttle by Dalmia Bharat” Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said the high-performance centre will offer world-class training and coaching facilities under the direct supervision and guidance of Pullela Gopichand. The facility will host national and international badminton tournaments”.
Among other dignitaries, Chief Minister of Assam and the President of Badminton Association of India (BAI) Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief national coach of India and Olympian Pullela Gopichand, Dalmia Bharat Ltd Managing Director and CEO Puneet Dalmia.
The “Shuttle by Dalmia Bharat” developed in collaboration with the Government of Odisha, Dalmia Bharat and the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Foundation, this HPC is dedicated to nurturing young talent and providing advanced training to future champions, guided by world-class coaching.
The world-class academy for shuttlers features eight badminton courts with 500 seating capacity for the spectators and the capacity of 50 players accommodation.
Pullia Gopichand expressed his gratitude to the Odisha’s present and former Government for establishing such world-class infrastructure and said “One village is needed to develop a player. It’s always the combined effort and support to develop a sports eco system. This HPC will provide an opportunity to young budding talents to train under the guidance of highly professional coaches.
The BAI president Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed “I am extremely grateful to the Chief Minister of Odisha, for inaugurating the Badminton High Performance Centre in Bhubaneswar”.
This Centre will provide a unique opportunity to the shuttlers of Odisha and other States to equip themselves with the best skills and prepare themselves to dominate the global badminton arena in times to come. My vision is to have centres of excellence in every State to ensure our budding shuttlers get the best possible training, added Sarma.
Dalmia Bharat Ltd Managing Director and CEO Puneet Dalmia said “As India is going to bid for the 2036 Olympics. We are having 12 years in our hand for preparation, I am hopeful players from this badminton HPC will make a podium finish”.
