Odisha felicitates Thomas Cup Champions

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday felicitated Indian men’s badminton 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.

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.

All the team players received Rs 10 lakh cash award each, shawl and a memento. The players also presented the Chief Minister a Team India Jersey autographed by all the players.

Speaking on the occasion, CM 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.

Odisha government is investing hugely in Badminton. In partnership with Gopi Chand, a state-of-the-art High performance facility is being constructed which will be launched in a few months. This apart 89 Multi-purpose indoor halls are constructed across the State.

In future we would also like to host the Odisha Open as an annual event and support more such international championships, he announced.

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.