DUBAI: Under the supervision of Indian National Badminton Team Chief Coach Pullela Gopi Chand, Dubai-based Gulf Badminton Academy (JBA) will set up Badminton Academy at various centers in Saudi Arabia under Jeddah United Sports Club.
JBA Academy Chairman Pullela Gopichandu and Jeddah United Sports Club Co-Founder Lina Al Meena also signed the MoU. The academy’s first center in Saudi Arabia will open in Jeddah later this year.
Lina Al Maina said that she is very happy to be a part of the plans to develop Arab youth and child talents into world-class players under Gopichand’s tutelage.
The aim is to open at least 15 academies in countries like UAE, Saudi, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait. Academy MD Taufiq Waliakat said that 2000 players will be trained under the leadership of 100 coaches in the academies.
Badminton World Federation Dubai Badminton Development Head Jafar Ibrahim, Directors Dr. MA Babu, Jain Mathew, Prasad Mangupadi and others participated.