Bhubaneswar: The All India Public Sector Badminton Tournament commenced on April 7 in Bhubaneswar, with National Aluminium Company Limited, a Navratna CPSE under the Ministry of Mines, Government of India, hosting the prestigious national-level event.

The tournament was inaugurated by Shri Brijendra Pratap Singh, CMD, NALCO, in the presence of the company’s Directors, Shri Pankaj Kumar Sharma, Director (Production), Dr. Tapas Kumar Pattanayak, Director (HR), Shri Abhay Kumar Behuria, Director (Finance) and Shri Anil Kumar Singh, Director (Commercial). Senior officials from the All India Public Sector Sports Control Board, along with representatives and leadership from various PSUs, were also present on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Singh underscored the significance of sports in fostering not only physical fitness and mental well-being but also in strengthening team spirit, enhancing leadership qualities, and building a motivated workforce. He stressed that the values imbibed through sports, i.e., discipline, resilience, and collaboration, are integral to achieving organisational excellence. He further reaffirmed NALCO’s enduring commitment to promoting sports as a core element of its corporate ethos.

Being hosted for the first time in Bhubaneswar, the tournament marks another milestone in the city’s emergence as a vibrant and preferred destination for national sporting events. The four-day championship, organised in coordination with the All India Public Sector Sports Control Board, New Delhi, is being held from April 7 to 10, 2026, at the KIIT Biju Patnaik Indoor Stadium.

The tournament has drawn participation from over 200 players representing 14 Public Sectors, including Coal India Limited, Steel Authority of India Limited, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, Oil India Limited, Food Corporation of India, Reserve Bank of India, Comptroller and Auditor General of India, Life Insurance Corporation of India, Employees State Insurance Corporation, among others.

The inaugural ceremony also featured a vibrant cultural programme showcasing the rich heritage of Odisha. A large gathering of players, officials, and badminton enthusiasts marked the opening day, setting an enthusiastic tone for the matches ahead.