PV Sindhu Lays Foundation for Centre of Sports Excellence in Vizag

Two-time Olympic medallist and World Champion PV Sindhu has embarked on an ambitious mission to shape India's next generation of sporting talent with the foundation stone being laid for her Centre of Sports Excellence in Arilova, Visakhapatnam. The ceremony was attended by Andhra Pradesh Education and IT Minister Nara Lokesh, who performed the bhumi puja, along with Sports Minister M. Ramprasad Reddy, legislators and senior officials.

Speaking on the occasion, Sindhu described the project as a dream initiative and a way of giving back to the sport that transformed her life. She said the academy is targeted for completion by 2028 and expressed confidence that it would emerge as a premier training hub, producing athletes capable of excelling at the national and international levels. She urged young boys and girls to seize the opportunity to train at a world-class facility within the state.

The badminton star, who also serves as a Deputy Collector in the Andhra Pradesh government, thanked the state administration for allotting land for the project. She said Andhra Pradesh is home to immense sporting talent, but many young athletes lack access to advanced coaching and infrastructure. The academy, she added, aims to bridge that gap by providing a professional environment that meets international standards.

Unlike a conventional badminton academy, the Centre of Sports Excellence will nurture talent across seven sporting disciplines. Children will be encouraged to experience multiple sports during their formative years before choosing the one best suited to their abilities around the ages of nine or ten. Their physical attributes, aptitude and potential will be scientifically assessed before they undergo specialised training under international-standard coaches, supported by modern sports science, fitness and recovery facilities.

Drawing from her own journey spanning nearly two decades in elite badminton, Sindhu said becoming a champion requires discipline, perseverance and resilience. While not everyone may go on to become an Olympic medallist, she noted that dedication and consistent hard work can help every athlete realise their full potential. She also emphasised that setbacks often teach lessons that victories cannot, encouraging youngsters to view failures as stepping stones to future success.

Widely regarded as one of India's greatest athletes, Sindhu is the country's first woman to win two Olympic medals in badminton and the 2019 BWF World Champion. She expressed hope that, with the support of the Andhra Pradesh Government and the Sports Authority of India (SAI), the academy would evolve into a globally recognised high-performance sports institution. She also voiced optimism that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu would inaugurate the completed facility upon its completion.