VISAKHAPATNAM: Indian badminton player and Olympic medalist P.V. Sindhu laid the foundation stone for the P.V. Sindhu Centre for Badminton and Sports Excellence on Thursday. Located in Chinna Gadili village on the outskirts of the city, the center spans three acres. The Andhra Pradesh government allocated this land in 2021.
Speaking at the event, Sindhu mentioned that this was the first step toward building a world-class facility. She explained that the badminton center aims to foster talent across various sports. She expressed gratitude to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Vizag Police Commissioner Dr. Shankha Brata Bagchi, and District Collector M.N. Harendhira Prasad for their support. Proud to establish the center in her hometown, she remarked, “For the people of Vizag, this center is a testament to our city’s potential.”
Sindhu emphasized her commitment to nurturing young talent, describing the center as more than just a facility—it’s a call to action for Indian badminton to overcome challenges. She expressed a sense of responsibility in guiding the next generation. The project is supported by Greenko, an energy solutions company, and is backed by Sindhu’s long-time coach, Pullela Gopichand.
The academy is expected to be completed within 15 months. Sindhu highlighted that they are building a truly world-class center, integrating advanced technologies like drift control to prepare players for global competitions. Explaining the initial delays, she noted that her team took the time to study the world’s best high-performance centers and collaborated with top architects, ensuring all permissions and clearances were in place before construction began.
