Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today felicitated Indian men’s team members and coach for the spectacular victory in Thomas Cup 2022.
India won this coveted cup for the first time in the history of Thomas cup championship since it started in 1948-49. Apart from Hockey and Cricket, this is only third sporting event where India became world champion in a team event.
Chief National Coach Pullela Gopichand, Players Kidambi Srikanth, Dhruv Kapila, Pronoy HS, Priyanshu Rajawat, Vishnuvardhan Goud, GK Prasad, Arjun MR, Chirag Chandra Sekhar Shetty and Rakkireddy Satwik Sairaj were felicitated at a special function organized at Convention centre in Lok Seva Bhawan today.
The Chief Minister honored the Chief National Coach Gopichand with a shawl and memento. All the team players received Rs 10 lakh Cash Award each, Shawl and Memento. The players also presented the Chief Minister a Team India Jersey autographed by all the players.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that India has now become a production centre for world champions in badminton. It is the dawn of a new era of Indian domination in badminton. Across the country there is great interest among the kids and parents in badminton, he added.
Congratulating the Indian team players and coaches on becoming the World Champions, he said that it’s a historic achievement and proud moment for the entire country that our boys have become World Champions in a tough sport like badminton.
A decade back, he said, it was unthinkable that India will start dominate a sport like badminton. Thanks to the dedication and commitment of coaches like Gopi Chand and support of the Badminton Association, Central and State governments, India has been able to consistently perform well at international stage in the last 10 years, he added.
Speaking on state’s effort to promote badminton, he said that in Odisha also, we are investing hugely in Badminton. In partnership with Gopi Chand, a state-of-the-art High performance facility will be launched in next few months. We are constructing 89 Multi-purpose indoor halls across the State. These will primarily cater to the development of badminton in the state. Many champions will emerge from Odisha in the coming years, he hoped.
We would also like to host the Odisha Open as an annual event and support more such international championships, he announced. He wished the team more success for future championships.
Replying on behalf of the champion Indian Badminton team Chief National Coach Pullela Gopichand in his address said that while every state is promoting their own sports persons, Odisha is the only state that is promoting all sports persons across the country. Odisha is one of the pioneers in promotion of sports now. ‘This celebration is an inspiration for us. So, thank You Odisha for this big support,’ said an elated Gopichand.
Sports & Youth Services Minister Tusharkanti Behera gave the welcome address and Commissioner-cum-Secretary Sports & YS Veenelkrishna offered the vote of thanks.
Among other Higher Education Minister and President of Odisha Badminton Association Rohit Pujari, Chief Secretary Suresh Mohapatra, Development Commissioner PK Jena chairman OMC were present among others.