Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated the Bharat Gopichand Odisha Badminton High Performance Centre at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar today.
Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma and eminent badminton player Pullela Gopichand were also present on the occasion.
This indoor high performance center, built on an area of 77,000 square feet, has 8 air-conditioned badminton courts with seating capacity for 400 spectators. It has facilities to host both national and international tournaments. Along with this, modern facilities have also been developed in this center to accommodate 36 players. With a 200-seat amphitheater, this center has been built in the shape of a badminton shuttlecock.
Chief Guest at the inauguration ceremony, Chief Minister Majhi said that the establishment of this center in Bhubaneswar in collaboration with Pullela Gopichand Badminton Foundation and Dalmia Bharat Group has created a world-changing opportunity for the young badminton players of Odisha.
“The young badminton players of our country are our pride and glory. They have made a unique identity for themselves in the field of sports on the world stage and have made the country proud with their unwavering efforts. The Badminton High Performance Centre inaugurated today has all the facilities for the all-round development of the players along with good training,” he said adding that “in the coming days, Odisha will be known in the badminton world on the world stage through this centre”.
Chief Minister Shri Majhi thanked Assam Chief Minister and President of Badminton Association of India Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, eminent badminton player Padmabhushan Pullela Gopichand and Dalmia Bharat Group CEO Shri P.Y. Dalmia and MD Shri Gautam Dalmia for their cooperation and efforts for the establishment of this centre.
Joining as the guest of honour, Assam Chief Minister and President of Badminton Association of India, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma said that this Badminton High Performance Centre is a significant milestone not only for India but also for the world sports world. This centre will take badminton to new heights in India. He expressed his gratitude to the Odisha government, especially the Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, for providing all the support in establishing this centre. He said that under the leadership and guidance of the successful Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has now become a powerhouse of sports. This centre will help in fulfilling the goals set by the Prime Minister regarding sports in the coming days and will also play a major role in the development of badminton in Odisha. He said that sports are developing in our country with the joint support of both the government and the people.
Thanking the Odisha government for this centre, renowned badminton player Pullela Gopichand appreciated the progressive thinking of the state government for the development of sports in Odisha. He said that in the coming days many talented players will become famous at the national and international level from this centre.
The welcome address was given by the Odisha Sports Minister Suryabanshi Suraj.
CEO of Dalmia Bharat Group P.Y. Dalmia also informed about the programs of his company for the development of sports in Odisha in his speech.
Principal Secretary, Sports Department Bhaskar Jyoti Sharma proposed the vote of thanks.
The event was attended by the Chief Whip of the government, Mr. Saroj Pradhan, Ekamra MLA Babu Singh, MD of Bharat Dalmia Group, Mr. Gautam Dalmia, and President of Odisha State Badminton Association, Mr. Rajesh Prabhakar Patil.
