He is ecstatic about P V Sindhu bringing silver medal to India at Rio Olympics.
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Appreciating the support and funds provided by the Centre, national badminton coach Pullela Gopichand said more needs to be done for sport in the country, like grooming talent at the grass-roots level and developing physical literacy.
The GHMC, Sports Authority of Telangana, and Telangana State Olympic Association has made elaborate arrangements for a grand state reception and felicitation for Sindhu.
Popular Telugu daily Eenadu, in its Hyderabad edition, published photographs of Sindhu participating in the recently held Bonaalu, a typical Telangana festival, to prove her Telangana identity.
Member of Indian contingent PV Sindhu at Rio Olympics 2016, won the silver medal in Women’s Singles Badminton. And mother Vijaya is from Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh. “Mr Sachin Tendulkar will be presenting the vehicle to Sindhu”, said Punnaiah Choudary, BAI Secretary (Tournaments), who had accompanied the team in Rio. After reaching the Gannavaram airport, a similar rally from the airport will lead her to the Indira Priyadarshini Auditorium, where Naidu plans to personally felicitate her. “I am offering Group II job to both of them”, he said amidst thunderous applause form the public. “I did not expect so many people will be here to welcome me, I thank you all”. “I understand things will be very different now on”.
An official stated that prize money of Rs. 50 lakh was also announced by the Madhya Pradesh government to Sindhu. For years, it was in the 4.30 am shift that Olympic finalist PV Sindhu, Kidambi Srikanth and Parupalli Kashyap trained before the then celebrated players, stars such as Saina Nehwal, arrived for the 6 am shift.
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Praising the two Indian medal winners at Rio, he said, “Hats off to the women (Sindhu and grappler Sakshi Malik) for actually saving the respect of India in front of the whole world”. “I feel Gopi sir is the best coach”.
