THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, MAY 5, 2026

Reaffirming badminton as a priority discipline for Odisha, Sports and Youth Services Minister Suryabanshi Suraj on Tuesday asserted that the state is committed to delivering training of the highest standards, as he conducted a comprehensive review of facilities and athlete support systems at the Odisha SAI RBA Badminton Academy in Saheed Nagar.

During the visit, the Minister held detailed consultations with the Director of Sports, academy coaches, and officials from the Department of Sports and Youth Services (DSYS), focusing on strengthening the academy’s operational efficiency. To gain a ground-level perspective, he personally interacted with all 95 resident cadets, seeking candid feedback on crucial aspects such as coaching quality, hostel infrastructure, and daily nutrition.

Underscoring the importance of a “holistic and athlete-centric environment,” the Minister emphasized that nurturing talent requires not just quality coaching but also a robust support ecosystem. He noted that world-class infrastructure and scientific training inputs are essential to prepare players for success on national and international stages.

 “Badminton is a priority sport for us, and we are fully committed to ensuring that our athletes receive training of the highest standards,” said Minister Suryabanshi Suraj. He added that every effort must be made to provide young sportspersons with the best possible conditions to excel and bring recognition to the state.

To further elevate the academy’s performance, the Minister directed officials to closely monitor key benchmarks, including structured and high-quality coaching systems, improved living conditions for all resident cadets, and the implementation of scientifically designed nutrition plans tailored to support peak athletic performance.

Concluding the review, he instructed the concerned authorities to ensure continuous improvement across coaching, accommodation, and nutrition. Stressing the need for excellence, he said the focus should not only remain on meeting existing standards but on consistently surpassing them to set new benchmarks in sports development.

The visit once again highlights the Odisha government’s unwavering commitment to transforming the state into a global sports hub by investing in grassroots talent and creating world-class infrastructure for the next generation of champions.