Bhubaneswar: The 37th Sub-Junior National Badminton Championship began today at the iconic Kalinga Stadium, marking yet another milestone in Odisha’s growing reputation as a premier sporting destination. The six-day championship, scheduled from 1st to 6th December, is being jointly organised by the Badminton Association of India, the Odisha State Badminton Association and the Sports & Youth Services Department of the Government of Odisha.
Sports & Youth Services Minister Suryabanshi Suraj attended the inaugural ceremony as Chief Guest. Addressing the gathering, he said that hosting this prestigious national tournament is a matter of great pride for Odisha. Players from various States and Union Territories have arrived to compete, making the event a vibrant showcase of emerging badminton talent from across the country. He expressed confidence that the championship would witness remarkable performances from young shuttlers.
The Minister further emphasised that organising national-level sporting events in the State not only nurtures young talent but also inspires budding players to pursue excellence. Such tournaments, he added, contribute significantly to strengthening Odisha’s sports ecosystem and building a promising future for badminton.
The championship features competitions in the Under-15 and Under-17 categories, drawing participation from top sub-junior shuttlers nationwide.
The inaugural session was attended by several eminent personalities, including Sachin Ramachandra Jadhav, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Sports & Youth Services Department; Dr. Yeddula Vijay, Director, Sports & Youth Services Department; Dronacharya Awardee Coach Ganguly Prasad; Sanjeev Sachdeva, Selection Committee Member of the Indian Junior Badminton Team; V. Murali Krishna, Indian Para Badminton Coach; Gobardhan Reddy, Indian Badminton Coach; and K.K. Sharma, Joint Secretary, Badminton Association of India.
With enthusiastic participation and strong organisational support, the 37th Sub-Junior National Badminton Championship promises a dynamic week of competition and discovery of the country’s next generation of badminton stars.
