On Thursday, a Badminton High Performance Centre was opened in Bhubaneswar’s iconic Kalinga Stadium. The facility was launched by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Assam Chief Minister Himant Biswa Sarma. The latter is also the president of the Badminton Association of India. India’s chief national coach Pullela Gopichand was also present. The HPC, a collaboration between the Odisha government, Pullela Gopichand Badminton Foundation, and Dalmia Bharat Group, was erected for 75 crore INR.
While the state government supplied 3 acres of land at the Kalinga Stadium. Dalmia Bharat Group constructed the infrastructure, and PGBF will give technical assistance. The extensive seven-story badminton academy has an indoor area of 77,000 square feet. Including eight air-conditioned badminton courts with a capacity of 400 spectators. The HPC would also feature living facilities for 50 young badminton talents. As well as a gymnasium and amphitheater for outdoor activities.
Former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik laid the foundation stone for the HPC in 2018, handing over 3 acres of land to the Dalmia Bharat Group for the academy’s construction. The coaching program will be managed by Gopichand’s charity. Puneet Dalmia, the Managing Director of Dalmia Bharat, expressed hope that the institution would produce an Olympic gold medalist for India in the future.
Indian Badminton Needs To Reform
Indian badminton has struggled with form. They have failed in numerous events and finished on the podium a few times. Giving up the lead after winning a game is a traditional issue for Indian shuttlers. The Badminton Association of India (BAI) intends to gradually shift away from the culture of private coaching. They will shift towards group training sessions led by national coaches. This is done keeping in mind the upcoming Olympic cycle progresses.
BAI President Himanta Biswa Sarma also asked other state governments to invest more in badminton, pointing out that the sport has garnered the country three Olympic medals but still struggles to attract sponsorship and state government support. He said that “football, cricket, and hockey get good support from the governments and the public, and also a lot of sponsors. But badminton, despite bringing so much glory to the country, doesn’t have enough sponsors.”
