Cuttack: The highly anticipated Odisha Masters 2024 badminton tournament officially commenced with a grand opening at the Jawahar Lal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Cuttack. This marks the third edition of the prestigious event being hosted at the iconic venue.
Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, graced the opening ceremony, adding significant prestige to the event. In his address, the Deputy Chief Minister lauded the efforts of the organizers in promoting badminton in Odisha and highlighted the state’s rising stature as a hub for sports in India. The lively atmosphere inside the stadium, filled with young enthusiasts and spectators, further contributed to the excitement of the tournament.
Notable dignitaries in attendance included MLA Barabati Cuttack, Sofia Firdaus; Principal Secretary of the Sports Department, Bhaskar Jyoti Sarma; Collector and District Magistrate of Cuttack, Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde; DCP Jagmohan Meena; and CEO of the Hockey Promotion Council of Odisha, Deepankar Mohapatra.
Organized in association with the Odisha State Badminton Association (OSBA) and the Badminton Association of India (BAI), the Odisha Masters 2024 will feature around 300 players from 29 countries. The tournament, spanning six days, promises to showcase top-tier international talent and contribute to the continued growth of badminton in the region.