Badminton player and doubles specialist Jwala Gutta is all set to open an academy to train badminton players.
Ms. Gutta, on the 10th of December, announced the launch of the academy which would train players in the doubles category of badminton. Later, the sports academy would provide training in other sports as well.
Jwala Gutta announced the Jwala Gutta Academy of Excellence would be situated on the outskirts of Hyderabad, Telangana.
During the launch event in Delhi, Jwala Gutta said, “It’s a dream for me. My father has put in a lot of effort. We are still halfway through. If I manage to groom medals winners at my academy, then I can say my dream is truly fulfilled. This is just the start.”
Emphasising on training doubles players, Ms. Gutta said, “I will give priority to both singles and doubles. In fact, doubles needs more attention as there are not much results coming in… it’s high time. Being a doubles player I would love it if our country gets more results in doubles.” She further added, “My role is to be the mentor, to coaches, players and parents. It is a 55 acre property sans any pollution. There will be no constructions allowed around that place. It’s a beautiful place with beautiful atmosphere. There’s education as well. You can train and take education under one roof.”
The Academy of Excellence would include 14 badminton courts with a seating capacity of 600 people each and would be located at Sujatha High School, Gachibowli. Apart from badminton training, the students can also learn swimming, cricket and other sports as well.
When asked about her competition with the Pullela Gopichand Academy, inaugurated by former badminton player Pullela Gopichand, Jwala Gutta said, “One academy competing with another is good as long it is healthy. We can upgrade and improve and that should be the mindset when it comes to sport. I think we need more academies given the demand in Hyderabad, which is my hometown.”
Expressing her happiness about launching the Academy, Gutta said more academies to train youngsters in sports would be a way to train them for gold medals and represent India in several sports across the world.
Olympic star and boxer Vijender Singh, wrestler Sushil Kumar and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament (MP) Rajiv Pratap Rudy attended the launch event in New Delhi.
