Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated the Bharat Gopichand Odisha Badminton High Performance Centre at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar today. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and renowned badminton player Pullela Gopichand were present at the occasion.
This indoor high-performance centre, built on an area of 77,000 square feet, features eight air-conditioned badminton courts with a seating capacity of 400 spectators. It is equipped to host both national and international tournaments. The centre also boasts modern facilities to accommodate 36 players. Its unique design, inspired by a badminton shuttlecock, includes an amphitheater with a capacity of 200 seats.
Chief Minister Majhi expressed his gratitude to Pullela Gopichand Badminton Foundation and Dalmia Bharat Group for their cooperation and efforts in establishing this centre. He noted that this collaboration has created a world-changing opportunity for young badminton players in Odisha.
Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is also the President of the Badminton Association of India, emphasized that this Badminton High-Performance Center is a significant milestone for India and world sports, which will take badminton to new heights in India. He thanked the Odisha Government for their support in establishing the centre.
Renowned badminton player Pullela Gopichand praised the progressive thinking of the state government for the development of sports in Odisha. He said that in the coming days, many talented players will become famous at the national and international level from this centre.
State Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Suryabanshi Suraj delivered the welcome speech at the event.
Dalmia Bharat Group CEO P.Y. Dalmia also gave an update on his organization’s activities for the development of sports in Odisha in his speech.
Principal Secretary, of Sports and Youth Affairs Department Bhaskar Jyoti Sharma proposed the vote of thanks.
The program was attended by the Chief Whip Saroj Pradhan, MLA from Ekamra Babu Singh, and President of Odisha State Badminton Association Shri Rajesh Prabhakar Patil.
