The Odisha State Badminton Academy is set to become operational from April 1 at the Dalmia Bharat Pullela Gopichand Badminton High-Performance Centre located in Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar.
This initiative aims to provide world-class training to talented badminton players from Odisha, fostering the next generation of international stars.
In a significant step towards this goal, Chief Secretary Anu Garg chaired a crucial review meeting on Friday at Lok Seva Bhawan to assess preparations for the academy’s training programs. The meeting, attended by renowned badminton coach Pullela Gopichand, saw discussions on ensuring the centre’s full functionality.
The academy’s establishment follows the Odisha government’s approval of a proposal from the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Foundation (PGBF). This collaborative effort involves the state’s Sports and Youth Services Department, Dalmia Cement (Bharat), and PGBF. Key participants in the meeting included Commissioner-cum-Secretary of Sports and Youth Services Bhupendra Singh Poonia, Sports Director Dr. Yedula Vijay, Pullela Gopichand as the founder of PGBF, and representatives from Dalmia Bharat.
Deliberations focused on the academy’s annual operations, training modules, and associated costs. The Odisha government will provide financial assistance, supplemented by support from Dalmia Bharat. Chief Secretary Garg assured full cooperation from the state to resolve any pending issues and make the academy operational soon. She emphasised the government’s commitment to sports in Odisha, highlighting the priority given to badminton training at Kalinga Stadium.
“This academy will identify and nurture badminton talents in Odisha, offering them unparalleled opportunities,” Garg stated. “Under the guidance of celebrated coach Pullela Gopichand and other experienced trainers, we aim to produce international-level players from the state.”
Gopichand expressed optimism about the academy’s launch on April 1, discussing essential requirements to make the high-performance centre fully functional. He pledged complete support to elevate Odisha’s badminton players to global standards, positioning the state prominently on the international badminton map.
Notably, the high-performance centre was formally inaugurated on December 12, 2024, in a grand event attended by Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, and Pullela Gopichand. Designed in a modern shuttlecock shape, the facility boasts multiple badminton courts, spectator seating, an amphitheatre, and residential accommodations for players. This state-of-the-art infrastructure is a result of the partnership between the Odisha government, PGBF, and Dalmia (Bharat) Group.
The launch of this academy marks a milestone in Odisha’s sports development, promising to transform the region’s badminton landscape.
