Bhubaneshwar: In a significant boost to Indian badminton, the world-class Badminton High-Performance Centre (HPC), aptly named ‘Shuttle by Dalmia Bharat,’ was inaugurated at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar. This state-of-the-art facility, conceptualized under the leadership of former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, is set to redefine badminton training and development in India.
The grand inauguration ceremony was presided over by Mohan Charan Majhi, the Chief Minister of Odisha. The event witnessed the presence of notable dignitaries, including Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Chief Minister of Assam and President of the Badminton Association of India (BAI), Puneet Dalmia, Managing Director and CEO of Dalmia Bharat Ltd., and Pullela Gopichand, the renowned badminton player, Olympian, and Chief National Coach of India.
Pullela Gopichand, who met Naveen Patnaik ahead of the inauguration, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the former Chief Minister for envisioning and establishing the project. Gopichand lauded Patnaik’s commitment to the promotion of sports.
The ‘Shuttle by Dalmia Bharat’ HPC is an architectural marvel, featuring a unique shuttlecock-inspired structure. It houses eight international-standard badminton courts with seating arrangements for 500 spectators. Spread over 3 acres of land provided by the Government of Odisha under BJD’s regime, the facility is equipped with cutting-edge training infrastructure to nurture future champions.
The foundation for this ambitious project was laid in 2019 when an agreement was signed between the Government of Odisha, Dalmia Bharat Group, and the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Foundation. As part of the agreement, Dalmia Bharat committed Rs. 55 crore to fund the project, while Pullela Gopichand agreed to lead and manage the centre, ensuring the highest quality of coaching and mentoring for budding players.
The project, completed during Naveen Patnaik’s tenure, received its finishing touches recently before being inaugurated today. The facility, with its advanced amenities and professional coaching setup, is expected to produce world-class athletes capable of competing at the highest levels.