Paralympics glory in mind, India’s first para-badminton academy launched in Lucknow

Badminton was the speaking issue of the Tokyo Paralympics with Pramod Bhagat and Krishna Nagar bagging the gold medals, apart from Suhas Yathiraj, Manoj Sarkar also medalling with a silver and a bronze respectively from the multi-sporting extravaganza.

Given these a amazing exhibiting, Dronacharya awardee and Head National Mentor of the Indian para-badminton staff, Gaurav Khanna has made the decision to launch the country’s first Para-Badminton Academy in Lucknow, in affiliation with the Ageas Federal Everyday living Insurance plan.

With condition-of-the-artwork services and a significant-overall performance centre, the Para-Badminton Academy will act as the hotspot to coach Indian para-badminton talents for the forthcoming 2024 Paris Paralympics. Trying to keep his eye out for the later Paralympics as effectively, Gaurav Khanna also introduced the Ageas Federal ‘Quest for Fearless Shuttlers’ that will be on the lookout for youthful shuttlers to train for the 2028 and 2032 Paralympic Game titles.

Comprising four courts, two with BWF-authorized Artificial Mats for standing athletes and two Wooden Courts for athletes who use the wheelchair, the hottest Para-Badminton Academy is nicely-prepared.

Getting all the modern services, such as a completely-equipped fitness center, provisions for ice baths, steam baths, sauna baths, and jacuzzi hydrotherapy, the Para-Badminton Academy in Lucknow also has disabled-pleasant rooms for athletes to stay.

In the closed-door ceremony that took put on 16th January 2022, Gaurav Khanna mentioned, “India has manufactured several para champions, but they could never train in a qualified setup. Considering the fact that 2015, I have been undertaking whatever I can at makeshift rental venues,” Khanna discussed. “Thanks to Ageas Federal Everyday living Insurance, we have managed to develop a planet-class facility for Para-badminton players. They can not only practice right here now but also keep for extended durations and concentrate fully on their match,” he said gratefully.

Talking on the very same celebration, Karthik Raman, the Chief Marketing and advertising Officer of Ageas Federal Daily life Insurance policy explained, “Apart from backing various marathons, we have supported badminton at the grassroots level in a large way,” he described.

“Para-badminton has finished our country very pleased at the Tokyo Paralympics. It is our honour and privilege to be part of palms with Gaurav Khanna for the start of the Academy to enable this activity realize greater heights in the country and ideally earn extra laurels at the upcoming Paris 2024 game titles. Our ‘Quest For Fearless Shuttlers initiative’ is our humble effort and hard work towards this goal,” Raman elaborated.

Khanna, who is dependable for acquiring nurtured the talent of the medalling shuttlers at the Paralympics which observed four shuttlers out of the 7 that certified coming again with medals, also pointed out that from now on, even the Paralympians will be training at the newly introduced Academy that will be overseeing 50 para-athletes for now.

Celebrating the launch of the initially Para-Badminton Academy in India, Pramod Bhagat, Manoj Sarkar, Nitesh Kumar, Krishna Nagar, Nithya Sri, and Palak Kohli amid other increasing para shuttlers were current at the function.

With other plans currently in the pipeline, Khanna stated, “I am also preparing to initiate a Coaches Excellence Programme as I want other coaches to comprehend the intricacies of Para-badminton. I am planning the draft syllabus and aim to educate a number of coaches in the place so that we grow to be a major drive in the sport,” the veteran mentor discussed throughout the function. With the launch of India’s 1st Para-Badminton Academy, a new dawn in para-sports can be found on the horizon.