Bhubaneswar: Odisha Sports and Youth Services Minister Suryabanshi Suraj on Tuesday visited the Odisha SAI RBA Badminton Academy at Saheed Nagar to review its infrastructure and interact with budding badminton players undergoing training at the facility.
During the visit, the Minister held detailed discussions with the Director of Sports, academy coaches, and officials from the Department of Sports and Youth Services (DSYS). To ensure a first-hand assessment of the academy’s operations, he personally met with the 95 resident cadets to gather feedback on key aspects such as coaching quality, hostel accommodation, and daily nutrition.
Emphasising that badminton remains a top priority for the state, the Minister directed officials to maintain a “holistic and athlete-centric environment.” He stressed that providing players with world-class support is essential to ensure they have the necessary tools to succeed at both national and international levels.
“Badminton is a priority sport for us, and we are committed to ensuring that our athletes receive training of the highest standards,” said Minister Suryabanshi Suraj. He further added that every effort must be made to create the best possible conditions for young sportspersons to excel and bring laurels to the state.
To further the academy’s development, the Minister instructed officials to closely monitor several critical benchmarks. He specifically highlighted the need for high-quality, structured coaching standards, superior living conditions for all 95 resident cadets, and the implementation of science-based nutrition plans designed to support peak athletic performance effectively.
Concluding the review, the Minister directed the concerned officials to ensure that coaching, housing, and nutrition are subject to continuous improvement. He emphasised that the administration’s focus should not only be on meeting existing benchmarks but also on consistently striving to exceed them to set new standards in sports excellence.
This visit reaffirms the state government’s unwavering dedication to transforming Odisha into a global sports hub by investing in grassroots talent and providing world-class infrastructure for the next generation of champions.
