GUWAHATI: Guwahati is all set to witness the grand inauguration of the Badminton Association of India (BAI) National Centre of Excellence. This landmark event is scheduled to take place today at the Amingaon Indoor Stadium in Guwahati.
The upcoming centre, poised to redefine badminton training and talent development, will find its home within the state-of-the-art Amingaon Indoor Stadium. This cutting-edge facility will be equipped with an array of world-class amenities, including seasoned national and international coaches, coupled with top-tier support facilities.
A result of a collaborative initiative between the Assam Government and BAI, the inauguration of the centre will witness the presence of luminaries from India's esteemed badminton fraternity. This momentous ceremony will mark the birth of a hub where budding athletes will hone their skills under the tutelage of expert mentors, paving the way for a new generation of elite badminton players.
The management and operational aspects of the centre will be deftly overseen by Assam's Sports and Youth Welfare Department, while the technical dimensions will be managed by the Badminton Association of India.
The National Centre of Excellence will boast an impressive 24 badminton courts and a seating capacity for around five thousand spectators, making it India's largest badminton centre under one roof.
An exciting highlight of the inauguration will be the felicitation of the triumphant Indian men's badminton team, victors of the 2022 Thomas Cup. This accolade will be conferred by the BAI president in the presence of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Beyond its immediate impact, the Centre of Excellence will serve as a fertile ground for scouting and nurturing local and national talent from grassroots levels, nurturing them for promising futures in the realm of badminton.
Earlier this month, CM Sarma unveiled the impending collaboration between the Assam government and the Badminton Association of India. Through a memorandum of understanding (MoU), the National Centre of Excellence for Badminton in Assam is set to be realised, with the initial tenure extending over a decade, and the possibility of a ten-year extension.