Bhubaneswar: Badminton players in Odisha can now dream of better facilities and training as a state-of-the-art badminton academy will come up in the State soon.
The proposed badminton academy would be one of the best centres to groom sporting talents in the East Zone, said national coach Pullela Gopichand here on Tuesday.
The badminton centre in Bhubaneswar, proposed by Sports Authority of India (SAI) with assistance from State government, will be similar to the existing training facilities set up by the authority in Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi and Calcutta.
“The support we are getting from Odisha government, we hope that a good academy would come up here,” said Gopichand.
The ace badminton player of the country today arrived in Bhubaneswar for selection and trials of players from 12 East and North Eastern States.
“I feel connected with Odisha, as I have stayed here at Rayagada for over four years. It is good to see a lot of good talents have come from different parts,” Gopichand added.