Odisha State Sports and Youth Services Department (DSYS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Pullela Gopichand Badminton Foundation (PGMF) for setting up of a badminton academy and developing world-class talent in the state. The MoU was signed by Sports & Youth Services Department (DSYS) Commissioner-cum-Secretary Vishal Dev and PGMF founder Pullela Gopichand, in the presence of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the State Secretariat here.

According to DSYS press release, PGMF will be driving the badminton academy and will be responsible for providing technical support and the overall development of the sport in the State. Commenting on the association, the Chief Minister said, “Badminton is one of the focus areas in sports for Odisha. Under
the tutelage and guidance of PGMF, I am confident that we will be able to nurture and groom world class talents of the future. I want Odisha to win Olympic medals for India, and we are all committed to make this into a reality.”

Speaking on the association, Gopichand said, “It is an honour for us to be associated with the Govt of Odisha and we are aligned to their vision to keep producing world class talent. The trajectory of badminton as a sport in India has hit new highs in the recent past, with top players like Saina Nehwal
and PV Sindhu winning major honours at regular intervals. The academy in Odisha will help in keeping the momentum up, and we hope to nurture great talent right from the grass roots to the international levels.”
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PHOTO: Vishal Dev and Pullela Gopichand sign the MoU in the presence of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in Bhubaneswar on June 8, 2018.