The Badminton Association of India (BAI) launched the much-anticipated National Center of Excellence (NCE) on Friday. This initiative is not only set to elevate the skills of upcoming players but is also designed to cultivate and train top-notch coaches for the sport.
Under the esteemed guidance of prominent Indonesian coach Mulyo Handoyo, singles players will undergo comprehensive training. Additionally, All England champion from Russia, Ivan Sozonov, together with Korea's Park Tae-Sang, will spearhead the coaching panel, focusing on uplifting the skills of Indian coaches to match international standards.
BAI secretary Sanjay Mishra, speaking at the inauguration, emphasized the commitment to raising the coaches' proficiency. Double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu praised the initiative in a video message, stating its profound impact on the sport. Chirag Shetty, World no. 2 in men's doubles, echoed her sentiments, calling the center a transformative step for Indian badminton.
Distinguished attendees of the launch included Assam Chief Minister and BAI President Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, badminton stalwart Taufik Hidayat, India's chief coach Pullela Gopichand, and members of the historic Thomas Cup-winning team. Highlighting the significance of the center, BAI President Sarma shared, "This has been a vision spanning seven years. Today, we are proud to say that this center ranks among the world's best."
The event marked the signing of an MoU between BAI and the Government of Assam. NCE, a state-of-the-art facility, features 16 courts catering to 60 athletes in its initial phase. It also houses a modern gym, a player hostel, and a dedicated physiotherapy center.
Highlighting the impressive trajectory of Indian badminton on the global stage, Taufik Hidayat remarked on the timely establishment of the center, which, equipped with world-class infrastructure, promises to elevate Indian badminton further. The inauguration festivities also showcased an exhibition match, featuring Indian badminton sensations like Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Dhruv Kapila.
