Patna: Bihar’s badminton players are set to receive a major boost with the upcoming establishment of the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy in Bhagalpur. The development follows a meeting between Bihar Sports Minister Shreyasi Singh and legendary badminton player and coach Pullela Gopichand at his Hyderabad-based academy, where discussions were held on expanding badminton infrastructure and training facilities in the state.
During the interaction, the Sports Minister proposed setting up a Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy in Bihar to promote the sport and nurture local talent. Gopichand accepted the proposal and agreed to open an academy in Bhagalpur under his guidance in the near future.
Sports Minister Reviews Gopichand Academy Facilities
As part of the visit, Shreyasi Singh toured the entire academy campus along with Pullela Gopichand. She inspected the badminton courts, gymnasium, sports science centre, spinal injury unit, rehabilitation centre and a range of modern sports and training equipment imported from Finland. Officials said the inspection was aimed at replicating similar world-class facilities in Bihar.
The Sports Minister also interacted with talented badminton players from Bihar currently training at the Hyderabad academy. She stayed at the hostel, shared a meal with the players in the mess and reviewed their training routines and preparations. Calling them the future of Bihar sports, she encouraged the athletes and assured them of full support from the state government for their development and success.
A Significant Step for Badminton Development in Bihar
Bihar State Sports Authority Director General Ravindran Shankaran said the Hyderabad-based Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy, established in 2004, is one of India’s most prestigious badminton training centres. Its mission is to develop world-class players and coaches while promoting the sport nationally and internationally. Renowned players such as Saina Nehwal, P.V. Sindhu and Kidambi Srikanth have trained at the academy.
He said the agreement and consent of Pullela Gopichand, often regarded as the “god of badminton,” to set up an academy in Bihar marks a major milestone for the state’s sports ecosystem. The move is expected to pave the way for other prominent sports academies to establish centres in Bihar, enabling local athletes to access international-level training and coaching within the state itself.
