Bhubaneswar, May 15: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik today inaugurated the state's first badminton academy at Saheed Nagar indoor hall.

The academy, set up in collaboration between the sports and youth services department and the Sports Authority of India (SAI), will cater to talents from Odisha as well as neighbouring Bengal, north eastern states and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Former All England Open Badminton Championships winner Pullela Gopichand also attended the inauguration ceremony. He will act as the academy mentor.

Sports department officials said 24 inmates had already been selected from the eastern region. Besides, 11 day-boarders from Odisha have also been selected for training at the academy.

SAI will provide technical support, including coaches, physiotherapists and kits for the inmates, while the government will bear their accommodation, transportation and schooling expenses. SAI has appointed Romen Ghosh, a former India international and Arjuna Award-winner as chief coach-cum-manager.

Naveen hailed the performance of athletes from the state. "Odia players have shown their competence at national and international level in various sports. With the academy, we can create global standard players in badminton from our local talent pool. I am sure that under the mentorship of Gopichand we will have world champions in badminton from our state," he said.

Sports officials said the construction of hostel and gymnasium would cost an estimated Rs 1.37 crore. Besides, another Rs 98 lakh has been approved for installation of air-conditioners and other facilities. The existing indoor hall has four courts.

Gopichand also expressed hope that the academy would create top players in the near future. "The eastern region has a number of talented shuttlers and the academy will hone their skills and create players of international standard. The academy will also encourage young players," said the coach of Olympic silver medallist P. V. Sindhu.