Pullela Gopi Chand’s dreams of taking coaching to the next level got a shot in the arm with Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan taking part in the bhumi puja for the construction of a world-class training centre, sponsored by Kotak Mahindra costing ₹35 crore, on the premises of Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy at Gachibowli on Wednesday.
The presence of Nimmagadda Prasad, who was the first to contribute ₹3 crore for the purpose, Telangana Badminton Association vice-president V. Chamundeswaranath, Industries and IT Secretary Jayesh Ranjan, Sports Minister V. Srinivas Goud and SATS chairman A. Venkateshwar Reddy spoke of Gopi Chand’s journey of setting up badminton academies, as they have been with him ever since. Rohit Rao, chief communication officer and head, corporate responsibility and CSR, Kotak Mahindra, said they were glad to be associated with Mr. Gopi Chand in the project.
The Governor, along with his wife Vimala Narasimhan, exchanged pleasantries with lead shuttlers at Gopi Academy including P.V. Sindhu, K. Srikanth, P. Kashyap, Ashwini Ponnappa, Sikki Reddy, H.S. Prannoy and B. Sai Praneeth and conveyed his best wishes for their future assignments. “The project envisages seven air-conditioned courts, a full-fledged sports science centre, sports development centre, a 200-meter athletic track and an international-standard swimming pool to see that the players get the best of facilities, which should help them in enhancing their performances,” Mr. Gopi Chand said. “The whole endeavour is to produce more performing internationals at the highest level and this project should lead us to our final goal,” he said. Mr. Srinivas Goud promised that the State government would continue to support Mr. Gopi Chand in a big way given the kind of fillip he has given to badminton – first as a player and now as a coach.
“Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao is committed to promoting sports in a big way as evident from money being given as incentives to performing champions,” he reminded.
The Sports Minister also assured that sports facilities henceforth would be put to better use.
“We are aware that the Gachiobwli Stadium is hosting Hyderabad Open Badminton Championship in August and we will take all measures to refurbish it to international standards,” the Minister said.
