Bhubaneswar: In a major boost to badminton, a world-class state-of-the-art Badminton High-Performance Centre (HPC) was inaugurated at the iconic Kalinga Stadium complex in Bhubaneswar on Thursday.
The grand inauguration ceremony was presided over by Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. The event witnessed the presence of a host of dignitaries, including Assam Chief Minister and President of Badminton Association of India (BAI) Himanta Biswa Sarma, Managing Director and CEO of Dalmia Bharat Ltd. Puneet Dalmia, and Pullela Gopichand, the renowned badminton player, Olympian, and Chief National Coach of India.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Mohan Majhi said the badminton high-performance centre will offer world-class training and coaching facilities under the direct supervision and guidance of Pullela Gopichand.
The facility will host national and international badminton tournaments and act as a source of inspiration for budding players in the state, he said.
The Odisha government has provided three acres of land, where Dalmia Bharat Group built the infrastructure at a cost of Rs 55 crore, and former chief national coach Gopichand brought in the technical expertise.
Pullela Gopichand expressed his gratitude to the state government for envisioning and establishing the project. Gopichand lauded Patnaik’s commitment to the promotion of sports and said, “This iconic HPC will inspire and nurture young talent, and Odisha has once again set an example by investing in the future of Indian sports.”
Named ‘Shuttle by Dalmia Bharat’, the facility facility is an architectural marvel, designed with a unique shuttlecock-inspired structure that stands as a testament to India’s growing badminton aspirations. Developed in collaboration with the government of Odisha and Pullela Gopichand Badminton Foundation, the centre aims to identify and train budding talent under the guidance of world-class coaches, ensuring that India continues to produce champions on the global stage.
The facility, equipped with advanced training equipment and modern amenities, will offer a conducive environment for athletes to hone their skills. By combining cutting-edge infrastructure with experienced coaching, the HPC is poised to produce future badminton stars who can compete at the highest levels.
