"The main aim in setting up of this academy in Vijayawada is to give encouragement to young talent and also provide world class coaching facilities to them to excel in the sport," Anand said in a statement.
It was formally inaugurated at Dandamudi Rajagopala Rao Municipal Corporation indoor stadium in the presence of, among others, veteran coach and Dronacharya-awardee Mohammad Arif of Hyderabad.
"Junior India coach Sudhakar Reddy will be the chief coach and I will also take up training sessions along with my preparations for international tournaments," he said.