Chief national badminton coach Pullela Gopichand has added yet another feather to his crowded hat — a second badminton academy in Hyderabad.
Gopi, who already runs a world-class eight-court training facility in Gachibowli, has struck up a partnership with Sports Authority of India to establish the nine-court SAI-Gopichand National Badminton Academy, also in Gachibowli.
The Dronacharya Awardee, by setting up this new academy, has reinforced Hyderabad’s credentials as the badminton hub of the country.
“The doubles players will train at the old Academy while the singles players will train here,” Gopichand explained on the sidelines of the Academy’s inauguration on Tuesday. “We’ll probably switch the training venues after three months or so to avoid monotony,” he added.
According to Gopi, this move will free up much-needed space for the ever-expanding talent pool in the country. The Academy was conceived one-and-a-half years ago, with SAI providing part of the capital. The Academy as been established at an estimated cost of Rs 7.5 crore.
The facilities at Gopi’s new Academy are at par with his first facility. Both have at least eight training courts, a gymnasium and dormitories. “Both Academies are equally good and self-sufficient,” Gopi said.
