Bhubaneswar: Shuttlers participating in Odisha Open 2022, the inaugural edition of a three-series BWF tournament, were seen practising at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium (JNIS) in Cuttack, where the event kicks off on January 25.
India’s national badminton coach Pullela Gopichand has arrived in the state capital ahead of the inauguration on Tuesday.
Among India’s big names who will be seen in action are Saina Nehwal, Parupalli Kashyap, Ashwini Ponnappa, Sourabh Verma and Odisha’s Rutaparna Panda. The players are being kept in a bio-bubble.
After arriving, the players are being made to undergo RT-PCR test as part of COVID-19 protocol laid down by the Odisha government and the Badminton World Federation (BWF). RT-PCR tests are being conducted for all players and officials.
Welcoming everyone associated with the event, Odisha’s Sports Minister Tusharkanti Behera said, “It is a matter of pride that Odisha, which has hosted a variety of sporting events in the past, has been given the opportunity to host such a prestigious badminton tournament for the first time.”
He urged everyone to give their best and make the event a success, and wished that players from Odisha will make the state proud with their performance.
The tournament will come to a close on January 30. No spectators will be allowed at the venue because of the prevailing COVID-19 situation. Over 300 players from 18 countries are participating in the event.
