Gopichand to train kids in badminton at Greater Noida stadium

The coaching classes will begin from October at the Greater Noida stadium, which has been developed at a cost of Rs 130 crore.

The Greater Noida authority on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the national badminton coach and Dronacharya award winner Pullela Gopichand for badminton classes in the city. The MoU was signed at the Constitution Club in Delhi.

The Greater Noida authority on Wednesday signed Memorandum of Understanding with the national badminton coach and Dronacharya awardee Pullela Gopichand for badminton classes in the city. (HT File Photo)

The classes will begin from October at the Greater Noida stadium, which has been developed at a cost of Rs 130 crore. Officials said that the academy is likely to become operational by early October.

“We have an area of about 30,000 square feet inside the stadium. It will have 8 badminton courts. The academy will focus on training young talent and also give them an opportunity to train under international coaches. The facility will contribute towards the societal, economic and cultural development of the region,” Deepak Agarwal, chief executive officer (CEO) of the Greater Noida authority, said.

Gopichand said that his academy, managed by Sportzlive, will be a centre of excellence to nurture talent in the region.

Officials said that the academy will have around 25 talented students aged 8-15 to start with. Preference will be given to youngsters from surrounding areas and other parts of UP.

“Gopichand will conduct classes for three-four days a month. On other days, coaches from the Gopichand Badminton Academy will hold the classes. We want to rope in the best coaches to train children,” Agarwal said.

The Greater Noida stadium is located next to Jaypee Resort and is spread across an area of 39 acre. The ground hosted a Ranji cricket match between Uttar Pradesh and Vadodara in December 2015.

The stadium was declared as the home ground for the Afghanistan under-19 cricket team in December 2015 after the Greater Noida authority, the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the Afghanistan Cricket Board signed an MoU in Delhi.