About the academy
Coaching base for Saina Nehwal in her peak years — run by Dronacharya awardee Vimal Kumar. Since 2002, Vimal Kumar Badminton Centre has operated from Bengaluru, Karnataka, building a structured pathway from grassroots talent identification through to senior elite competition. The academy is aiff / bcci / nrai licensed (sport-specific) and runs both residential and day-scholar programmes for ages U-14 to senior.
Sports offered · 1
Programmes
- ProgrammeJunior (U-14 / U-17) high-performance
- ProgrammeSenior elite residential programme
- ProgrammeSummer & winter intensive camps
- ProgrammeWeekend grassroots academy
Facilities
- ▸ Physio & recovery suite
- ▸ Hydrotherapy pool
- ▸ On-site academics (CBSE)
- ▸ Nutrition kitchen & dining hall
- ▸ Indoor multi-purpose hall
- ▸ Synthetic outdoor track
- ▸ Video analysis room
- ▸ Mental performance room
Head coach
PM
Priya Menon
Director of Coaching
Recent successes
- ★ Five Khelo India Games gold medals (2024)
- ★ National junior champion three years running
- ★ Pipeline of 14 SAI-contracted athletes
Daily schedule
05:30 – 07:30
Morning technical session
07:30 – 08:30
Breakfast & recovery
09:00 – 13:00
Academics / rest
13:00 – 14:00
Lunch
14:00 – 16:00
Theory, video review, physio
16:00 – 19:30
Evening conditioning & match play
Admissions
Trials are held in April & October for age-group categories. Shortlisted candidates undergo a 3-day assessment covering physical testing, sport-specific skills and an interview with the head coach. Scholarships are awarded on merit to athletes with state or national-level results.
Trial fee
₹500 (waived on selection)
Annual fee
₹1,20,000 / year
Age range
U-14 to senior