Agiant shuttlecock illuminates the night sky in Bhubaneswar. It is a new building, designed to look like a cork base. Laser lights are beamed upwards from the terrace’s perimeter at an angle to resemble feathers. This is Shuttle―a newly built badminton high-performance centre (HPC) inside the Kalinga Sports Complex. “It is an iconic infrastructure,” says former All England champion Pullela Gopichand. “It says to Bhubaneswar that we are here.” Shuttle by Dalmia Bharat Group was made possible through a collaboration with the Odisha government and the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Foundation.
In 2017 and 2018, the three entities came together with a shared vision to establish a state-of-the-art badminton facility in Bhubaneswar. With the Odisha government’s commitment to making the state India’s leading sports destination, Gopichand’s expertise and the Dalmia Bharat Group’s financial backing―to the tune of Rs75 crore as part of its corporate social responsibility initiatives―the dream was realised after years of dedicated effort.
Space for growth: The academy has dormitory space for 22 boys and 14 girls | Bhanu Prakash Chandra
Inaugurated by Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is also the president of the Badminton Association of India (BAI), on December 12, Shuttle is unlike any other badminton facility in the world. The stunning aesthetic of the centre is further enhanced by its outdoor landscape which features a walk of fame honouring the history and development of badminton in India. Additionally, there is an amphitheatre with seating for 200, and a reflective pool, adding to the visual charm of the structure.
The government of Odisha views the world-class facility as a pivotal moment for badminton development for the entire country. “Under the guidance of Pullela Gopichand, the centre will not only inspire budding players but also attract elite athletes,” says Suryabanshi Suraj, the minister of state for sports and youth services, Odisha. “It will serve as a hub for advanced coaching and talent grooming, thereby propelling badminton in Odisha and India to unprecedented heights.”
Exterior view of Shuttle | Bhanu Prakash Chandra
What truly sets the HPC apart is its expansive 77,000sqft of indoor space. Housing the Dalmia Bharat Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy (DBPGBA), it features eight fully air-conditioned courts, where the badminton legend will strive to identify and develop the next generation of badminton champions. The courts, built to international standards, comply with Badminton World Federation requirements.
In addition to its courts, the HPC offers top-notch dormitory facilities for 36 players―22 boys and 14 girls―and a cafeteria that caters to their nutritional needs, all in the same building. The walls and furniture of the dormitories and cafeteria are painted in the Indian tricolour to inspire the young players. The walls also feature motivational quotes. The space has been thoughtfully designed to provide a supportive environment, helping the young players train and grow while they are away from their families.
Suryabanshi Suraj
The Odisha government had invited corporate entities to contribute to developing sports facilities within the Kalinga complex. Dalmia Bharat chose to invest in badminton. “The objective was to sharpen the badminton talents further,” says Puneet Dalmia, managing director, Dalmia Bharat. “We have seen many people not fully leveraging their talent because of the financial burden of getting training outside India.” Shuttle also focuses on nurturing the mental and emotional well-being of athletes through a dedicated yoga and meditation centre. “We have adopted a holistic approach, because to perform at the top level in high-pressure situations, you don’t just need talent but also a calm mind,” says Dalmia.
The day-to-day operation of Shuttle will be overseen by Gopichand and his team. The DBPGBA will collaborate with the Odisha State Badminton Association and the Sports Authority of India to conduct trials. Additionally, they will also visit pockets of Odisha to scout young players. Suraj says talent identification programmes will be implemented at grassroots level across all districts. “Mostly children of the age group of 11, 12 and 13 from across Odisha will be selected to stay and train here,” says Gopichand.
Once selected, all needs of these kids would be taken care of. Alongside badminton, they will also continue their education through online classes and open schooling. “Students staying at all sports hostels and HPCs are given abundant scope to continue their education,” says Suraj. “The government gives them free schooling. So, sports and education can go simultaneously.”
Inclusivity will be a top priority. Children from disadvantaged backgrounds will be given priority, says Suraj.
Shuttle will be different from the Hyderabad academy run by Gopichand. “In Hyderabad, players who have been world No 1 or in the top 10 continue to play alongside youngsters; Shuttle will only have young players,” says Gopichand.
The facilities at Shuttle include a top-class gym, swimming pools, running tracks and India’s largest sports science centre.
If everything goes as planned, Shuttle will be hosting international competitions. “We will work closely with the BAI to get quality events to this venue,” says Suraj. “These events will provide a platform for young players to showcase their skills while also encouraging a competitive spirit.”
Gopichand hopes to organise BWF 100-level competitions and BWF international challenges, in addition to national tournaments. He wants Shuttle to become a breeding ground for players who will be the face of Indian badminton in time for the 2036 Olympics, which India hopes to host.
Dalmia Bharat, recognised for having one of the lowest carbon footprints in the global cement industry, constructed Shuttle based on sustainable principles and eco-friendly practices. The facility incorporates features like rainwater harvesting, permeable paving to support groundwater recharge, and on-site waste recycling. Moreover, the unique inverted shell design naturally cools the indoor areas, reducing energy consumption and enhancing overall energy efficiency.