Hyderabad celebrates homecoming of silver star Sindhu

Hyderabad, August 23: A beaming P.V. Sindhu was ‘floored’ by the grand felicitation function organised by the Telangana Government at the Gachibowli Stadium on arrival here on Monday morning. The star shuttler, winner of Rio Olympics silver, replying to the felicitations remarked “my day was made”. I never expected this kind of reception. I am grateful to the State Government and to each and every one who lined up on the way from the airport for showing such warmth and affection,” she said, reports thehindu.com.

“I am here because of Gopi Sir and his support staff. Really feeling great to be standing in front of you all and getting all this love and sincerely thank you all for all the blessings,” Sindhu commented. “I am hopeful of improving in the days to come and win the gold one day,” Sindhu said even as the crowd was lustily cheering her.

Earlier, chief guest and Deputy Chief Minister Mehmood Ali and Union Minister Bandaru Dattatreya felicitated Sindhu and Pullela Gopi Chand presenting them mementoes and shawls.“Sindhu by her achievement has become the pride of the entire nation along with wrestler Sakshi Malik with her stunning performance in Rio, It is also a great matter of pride for Telangana State too as she hailed from Hyderabad,” he said.

“I had seen Gopi chanting mantras when Sindhu was in action during Rio Olympics. When I asked him what he was chanting, he did not reveal. But what is great is that he mentored Sindhu to a historic silver and made the entire country proud,” the Minister said.

For his part, Gopi thanked the State Government for all the cash incentives announced after the Rio results and also for its unstinted backing for many years how.“I was inspired after attending Karnam Malleswari’s civic reception after her bronze in the 2000 Sydney Olympics and dreamt of doing well in my own career. Now, I hope many youngsters from this gathering would take up sports with all seriousness,” Gopi concluded.