GEORGE TOWN, June 22 — Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow today announced the state government’s construction of a RM460 million badminton academy in hopes of continuing the state’s legacy as a powerhouse of shuttlers.

He said the state hopes to groom more national players with the establishment of the badminton academy.

The construction of the badminton academy complex, located along Persiaran Karpal Singh, will start in the first quarter of 2024 and is expected to complete in 2029.

"This badminton academy will be able to retain badminton talents in Penang,” he told a press conference on the project here.

The badminton academy was awarded to PGBC Sdn Bhd through an open tender under the "Built Operate Transfer” concept.

The RM56 million state land where the project will be located will be leased to PGBC Sdn Bhd for a term of 60+30 years.

The academy will consist of 27 badminton courts with a capacity of 2,500 people at any one time, a sports complex, sports gallery and a hospitality tower.