Nara Lokesh Lays Foundation Stone for PV Sindhu’s World-Class Sports Academy in Visakhapatnam

Andhra Pradesh Minister for Human Resources Development Nara Lokesh, alongside double Olympic medalist and world champion P. V. Sindhu, officially laid the foundation stone for the P.V. Sindhu Centre for Badminton and Sports Excellence in Visakhapatnam. The landmark event marks a major boost for sports infrastructure in the state, designed to identify and train promising athletic talent from across the region.

The upcoming sports academy is being built at Arilova (Thotagaruvu Junction) in Chinna Gadili village, under the Visakhapatnam East constituency. It is situated on a 2-acre land parcel allocated by the Andhra Pradesh government, conveniently located near the Visakha Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS) and the Health City complex. Sindhu specifically chose the port city as the ideal location to create an accessible hub where athletes from all sports disciplines can access elite guidance.

The project is estimated to cost ₹10 crore and will be constructed across two development phases. The complex will house international-standard indoor badminton courts equipped with drift-control technology, high-performance coaching setups, sports science and physiotherapy units, and dedicated athlete accommodation with full nutrition and recovery support. The initiative is supported in corporate partnership with energy firm Greenko, with construction execution assigned to Pavilion Infra and Kartheek.

For P. V. Sindhu, setting up the academy represents a deeply personal mission to give back to the Indian sports community and prepare the next generation of champions. The facility will place a strong emphasis on empowering underprivileged youth and young girls from rural belts by giving them free or subsidized world-class training. Minister Nara Lokesh assured full state support to transform Visakhapatnam into a global center for sports excellence.