PV Sindhu Badminton Academy And Stadium To Be Built In Chennai

World Champion shuttler PV Sindhu has laid the foundation for a state-of-the-art badminton academy and stadium named after her on the outskirts Chennai by the Heartfulness Institute. It is expected that the facility will be ready in the next 18-24 months. It will be a landmark that matches the best in the world, a release noted. It will have over eight courts and a viewing gallery to seat 1,000 plus audience. It will also be equipped with a gym and physio centre besides having an area for practising meditation and yoga, the release added.

The badminton star, who scripted history by becoming the first Indian to win a World Championships gold medal last year, said that the academy - to be located at a school in Kolappakkam - will set a future path in pursuing badminton as a sport.

Key Takeaways:

• PV Sindhu has laid the foundation for the setting up of a badminton academy and stadium named after her near Chennai.
• The academy will have over eight courts, a viewing gallery to seat 1,000 plus audience, a gym, physio centre, an area for practising meditation and yoga.
• "I am honoured to have this facility named after me," Sindhu said.

Foundation for a new future

"The sport of badminton will get a tremendous boost and encouragement with this facility that will not only train players but has plans to bring in national and international tournaments," Sindhu said.

Sindhu further stated, "I am honoured to have this facility named after me. Pursuing a sport is much needed for all round development of an individual. At competitive levels it is very challenging, and sportspersons need to remain fit not just physically but also emotionally and mentally," the TOI reported.

"It's not enough to be able to regain the centre in the court after every shot, but it's more important to remain centred in the mind irrespective of what is happening around. This is the real game changer. The experience of Heartfulness meditation over last one year has brought a tremendous difference to my abilities to remain focused in the moment," she added.

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High on Olympics dream

The 24-year-old from Hyderabad claimed silver at the Rio Olympics in 2016. After making her debut in 2009, in 2018 she made it to the Forbes List Of 30 Under 30 Asia list. “There will definitely be a lot of expectations from me but pressure and criticism doesn’t affect me because people always expect me to win whenever I go. Olympics is the ultimate aim, for anybody”, Sindhu said.

Asked if her 2019 World Championships gold medal was better than the silver medal she won at the 2016 Rio Olympics, she had said, “In 2016, no one expected a Sindhu to do well. Now, there is lot more recognition, expectations high and with that bigger responsibility,” she had said. “So, both years are different but with great memories,” Sportstar reported.

The Hyderabad-based badminton player is among India’s favourites for another Olympic medal in the Tokyo Olympics 2020.

Talking about what next, she said, “I have a strong desire to win the 2020 Olympics gold.”

Feature Image Credits: @heartful_ness / Twitter

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