Lokesh, Sindhu Lay Foundation For Sports Excellence Centre in Vizag
The facility is expected to be ready by May 2028, when it will welcome its first batch of athletes and students
Visakhapatnam: Education minister Nara Lokesh along with two‑time Olympic medallist P.V. Sindhu laid the foundation for the expanded version of the PV Sindhu Centre for Sports Excellence here on Wednesday.
Conceived as a non‑profit initiative, the centre aims to provide young athletes the access to sports training, education, and scientific support under one integrated campus.
Lokesh praised Sindhu’s achievements, noting that her success had brought recognition to the nation and that the proposed centre would extend her contributions to sport by creating opportunities for the next generation. The project aligns with the state government’s objective of developing AP as a destination for sports and building a better infrastructure for aspiring athletes.
“The government will support efforts to provide sportspersons quality training and facilities,” he said.
Originally envisioned as a badminton academy, the project has evolved into a multi‑sport and education centre. Its foundation was first laid in 2024. Wednesday’s ceremony marked the formal presentation of its expanded vision.
Sindhu explained that discussions with chief minister Chandrababu encouraged her and her husband, Venkata Datta Sai, to view the project as a long‑term institution that could support athletes and students for generations.
Construction is already under way, with the basement and substructure completed and the superstructure taking shape. The facility is expected to be ready by May 2028, when it will welcome its first batch of athletes and students.
Covering nearly two lakh square feet, the centre will bring together seven sporting disciplines with high‑performance coaching and support services, including sports science, recovery and rehabilitation, nutrition, strength and conditioning, talent identification and academic support.
Facilities will include specialised badminton courts, a 25‑metre competition swimming pool, and a 25‑metre shooting range, described as the first of its kind in Andhra Pradesh.
Dedicated spaces for sports science and recovery will help athletes manage training, fitness and rehabilitation, while an on‑campus school will allow them to pursue formal education alongside sports training.
Sindhu said the centre was her way of “giving back” to Indian sport, investing a substantial part of her earnings into creating an institution that could provide opportunities for future athletes.
She urged corporates and philanthropists to support the centre through CSR initiatives and long‑term partnerships, stressing that such backing would help expand programmes and reach more young athletes.
The design of the centre has been influenced by Sindhu’s visits to international high‑performance facilities such as Aspetar in Doha and the Inspire Institute of Sport.
Located in Visakhapatnam, the centre will also undertake talent identification, coaching programmes, research partnerships and community outreach. Organisers said the objective is to create a sustainable sports ecosystem capable of supporting athletes at different stages of their development, positioning Visakhapatnam as a hub for excellence in sport and education.