Bhubaneswar: A Regional Badminton Academy, set up by Sports Authority of India (SAI) in collaboration with Odisha Sports & Youth Services Department, was inaugurated by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at Indoor Hall Complex in Saheed Nagar here on Monday.
Chief National Coach for the Indian Badminton team Pullela Gopichand was also present in the inauguration ceremony. He had selected 33 players for the academy few days earlier.
Talking to media persons after the inauguration ceremony, CM Patnaik said, "I am delighted that this badminton facility has been inaugurated in Bhubaneswar today. Under the mentorship of Shri P Gopichand, I am sure we will produce some national and international badminton players."
Players from Eastern and North-Eastern states will be able to avail training in the academy. The academy aims to nurture and train potential badminton trainees to produce Olympians for 2024 Olympics.
"We need neither a cultural history nor any baggage, if we work hard than we will be able to produce champions very soon. There are many young children here, born within 2006-08, who will be trained in the academy to become future champions of the country, coming from Odisha," said Gopichand.